Youth Mentor Group in Princess Anne Making An Impact

The Gentlemans Club, not to be confused with "that" establishment, has chartered in Princess Anne. Targeting at risk males of any race and background, especially those without fathers or strong male figureheads, the Gentlemans Club mentors kids from first grade on up and monitors them until high school graduation. The mission is essentially to save youths from falling into the pitfalls of gang life, criminal life, and the doldrums of being unproductive members of society.

Curtis Alston runs the show for the Princess Anne Chapter. Started originally in Salisbury 8 years ago, and was featured on Oprah's Spirit Segment, The Gentlemans Club can be best described as a junior fraternity. Oriented towards instilling values and high standards, youths meet every Wednesday with their mentors to learn values such as etiquette, self-respect, respect towards women, academics, and setting goals. Members are required to dress professionally, tie and dress slacks.

Each member who successfully practices and completes the mentorship earns a Gentlemans Club Ring with their emblem. Induction into this brotherhood is sacred and honored for these young men who have earned through their commitment a understanding and being of what it really is to be a gentleman.

Typically composed of 12 mentors and 12 youths, the Princess Anne Chapter has 38 youths only because the mentors live in the city and can easily manage that number. A chapter can form after 12 mentors come together. The number of chapters in an area is only dependant on the number of mentors who come out. Any community can hold as many chapters as they can muster. Currently there are two chapters in Salisbury with one out of Bennett Middle and another out of Salisbury Middle.

I met this group while at the Shorebirds game Saturday night and I had never heard of this club. I had the pleasure to talk with Mr. Alston for a few innings about their group. They were celebrating after a Janes Island cookout and clean up of Raccoon Point during the day. Community service and the concept of giving back to the community is another block in their philosophy and they do many events during the year.

"We have been blessed with people coming out to be mentors and help out in any way they can. Also we have had success in reuniting fathers who have been out of contact with their sons and getting them involved back into their son's life. This especially helps families, especially single moms."

Currently the area chapters of the Gentlemans Club is looking for community sponsors, especially in the web design aspect. One member is taking a course at Wor-Wic for web development, but the club needs help to get a site off the ground that they then can take over duties. The more community support that flows out the more youths can be reached and the quality of mentorship/activities will rise.

Mr. Alston can be reached at 443-783-1839 and cealston01@aol.com. Upon completion the chapter will be based out of the Garland Hayward Youth Center on Hampden Ave. thanks to an agreement with UMES and the City of Princess Anne.