Atlanta Mentoring Organization instrumental in improving College Graduation rate

ATLANTA - May 23, 2016 - PRLog -- Mentoring Organization instrumental in improving College Graduation rate

An Atlanta based Mentoring Organization is providing program and structure with data to support increased retention and graduation rates.

Mentoring is among the most significant mechanisms that provide resources and guide at-risk and underserved youth to higher education including at the collegiate level in preparation for career development.

Under the leadership of Horace Dukes, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Dukes Foundation, a committed Educator, the challenges facing young males (particularly those in urban communities) have been addressed through evidentiary mentoring. These challenges were so daunting and pervasive that their futures were threatened however, through programs provided to support and help at-risk young men dream, achieve, and become healthy, successful adults there have been remarkable results.

An important group of people that have made our Mentoring Program effective are our supporters and volunteers. They have been instrumental in guiding Mentees through high school and college. Many have a proven approach in creating an environment of success. This includes possessing a high level of college know-how and their application in the creation of a community support atmosphere for our Mentees, particularly the first-generation college-goers, who may feel lost, alone or overwhelmed when they get to campus. They have also built a resource base, course-tracking systems to efficiently guide students to completion of educational goals and have developed a mutual trust and a system of accountability. This observation was made recently by a veteran Education Instructor, Dr. Thomas Gosha.

The Program has made significant impact including;

Increase of the number of Mentees now studying major Business, Management, Science  and Technology subjects

Increase in the number of Mentees now attending Colleges by over 75% during a 5 year period

Increase in graduation rate from College by over 65%

Increase in Mentees' GPA

A Mentee graduated Suma Cum Laude from Morehouse College

Empowerment of Youth in Urban Areas of Atlanta to Succeed in Business Related studies and enterprises

Reduction in youth delinquency in Schools and Communities

Three of our mentees graduated College and are now advancing. They include:

James Atkins, III  graduated with Latin honors, Summa Cum Laude from Morehouse College , with a Dean's List GPA of 3.9. He is a computer science and computer engineering dual-degree student with mathematics minor. James is the top-ranking computer science student in his graduating class and will soon be inducted into Phi Beta Kappa honors society. During summer, he will be pursuing his third internship at The Boeing Company in St. Louis and pursing a Masters in Information Systems in the fall. James Atkins has been a Mentee with the Dukes Foundation since 2008.

Samario Alonzo Chatman graduated from Savannah State University with Bachelor of Arts, Mass Communications. He is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. Samario has been a Mentee with the Dukes Foundation since 2008.

Costa Anderson graduated with a 3.3 GPA in HPER (health physical educational recreational) He will now enter University of Albany in New York with a Basketball Scholarship.

THE DUKES FOUNDATION (CORPORATION), is an accredited 501 ©(3) Non Profit Service Organization that offers an effective mentoring program on a regular basis through support obtained from Professional, Business and Civic Organizations. Our mentoring program includes; Academic Coaching, Career Development Workshops, Wellness Sessions, Cultural Exposure Tours and Motivational Exercises that have contributed to the transformation of many lives. D.U.K.E.S, Developing Urban Kids with Etiquette and Self-Esteem, DUKES FOUNDATION remain committed to using MENTORING to elevate social conditions and reduce the level of violence committed by teens.

http//:www.dukesfoundation.org (mailto:dukesfoundation@dukesfoundation.org)

Facebook: The Dukes Foundation
Twitter: @dukesfoundation