MALES mentor Aiken youth

The MALES (Men Achieving Leadership, Excellence and Success) organization has set out to have a profound impact on the youth in Aiken.

The organization originated on he campus of Eastern Connecticut State University. The USC Aiken branch of the organization was formed in 2007.  The group is a community service and mentoring based organization.

"The purpose of MALES is to develop young men into positive contributors in their community, personal and professional lives, as well as the lives of others," said Kelvin Rachell, adviser of the group.

The organization is a part of mentoring projects across Aiken. They help with after school tutoring programs at East Aiken Elementary and East Aiken Middle School. MALES also mentors the youth at Midland Valley High School and South Aiken High School.

"It's very important to reach out to the youth of Aiken because so many young guys come from broken homes and are influenced by a lot of negativity in their community," said Rachell. " A lot of the youth are one decision away from engaging in bad behavior."

Other members share Rachell's feelings about speaking to the youth in Aiken.

Junior Brandon Dore has been a member of the MALES organization for two years.  He feels as though the organization doing a great thing by mentoring.