BEM Offers Career-Shadowing Program for At-Risk Youth

Ronald Mitchell grew up in the drug-infested streets of Southside Chicago where one of the largest gangs in the country was located. On his way home from the YMCA at the age of 14, Ron was held up at gunpoint by a gang member.

He pleaded for his life and convinced the assailant not to kill him. The assailant put his gun down and began talking about his troubled life. Ron convinced him to seek help and guidance through a mentoring program. The assailant listened to Ron’s advice and put himself back into high school. That experience changed Ron’s life forever and led him to start his organization – BEM Foundation – helping at-risk kids through mentorship and life-coaching. 

“The mission of our foundation is to provide youth from ages 9 to 19 with the academic tools, resources and leadership skills they need to produce extraordinary results in their respective lives and communities,” Mitchell said at his career-shadowing program on Saturday in Alexandria.

The BEM foundation - Believe Every Moment - provides three types of programs for children and mentors: youth town hall meetings, “power texting” mentoring program and career shadowing program. The youth town hall events, which happen about four times a year, allow children to speak about heart-felt subjects important to them. The “power-texting” program, a term coined by Mitchell’s foundation, uses text messages to reach and inspire young people; and the career shadowing program pairs professionals with students from various cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.

On Saturday, the BEM Foundation kicked off its career shadowing program for 2011. The event was held at the organization’s office in Alexandria. There were five professionals and six students at the event. The meetings happen every six to seven weeks with a new group of professionals and students. The mentors - who work in technology, insurance, Air Force, business and lobbying careers - spoke about their respective fields, answered questions from students and spoke with them individually. In the next coming days, the students will choose which mentor they would like to spend a day with at their job.

Derrick Kramer, a junior at T.C. Williams High School,  joined the organization three years ago when he was in 8^th grade. He said the mentorship and support from Mitchell has improved his life significantly.

“Ron’s always encouraging me to reach and set higher goals,” said Kramer who has a 3.8 GPA. “It’s been great that I can talk to him and have him as my mentor.”

Ne’Presha Watkins handles the Multicultural Business Development for State Farm in Washington, D.C. She recently became a mentor and strongly supports the foundation’s mission.

“I believe that the value of mentoring goes far beyond enrolling in a process, “ said Watkins. “It’s about building relationships on a foundation of mutual trust and respect while also making a commitment towards development. The BEM Foundation has a great grasp on this concept.”

Kierra Gambrell, a junior at Virginia Commonwealth University, has been with the foundation for a year. She’s the organization’s Youth Ambassador and identifies issues that are concerning young people.

“The BEM Foundation represents kids in a positive way and always encourages them to do well academically. The organization has a strong connection with the community and a passion to improve our society, “said Gambrell.

The BEM Foundation was started by Mitchell 15 years ago in Chicago. It was officially incorporated three years ago when he opened an office in Alexandria.