Mentoring program helps youths stay on right track
BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer

LAKEWOOD - After watching Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. give his landmark "I have a dream" speech during the historic March on Washington in August 1963, Michael Rush, the deputy superintendent of Paterson's public schools, was inspired to become successful and give something back to his community.

Rush is the president and co-founder of Omega 13, a male mentoring program that has been in effect since 1980. The program came into fruition after Rush said he "saw a need in the community where African American boys were not on the right course to be successful and prosperous young men.

"We wanted to reach out to these young men and get them off the streets before they got involved with negative activities such as drugs and other types of things," he said.

Omega 13 inducts boys as young as 5 years old and mentors them until they are 17. The group meets every other Sunday in the Lakewood Community Center, 20E. Fourth St.

In January, a group of almost 30 boys gathered on the eve of the national observance for King. While there the youths gave presentations about the late civil rights leader.

Following the boys' presentations members of the community offered them some words of encouragement.

State Superior Court Judge Wendel E. Daniels said, "You boys are just as good as anyone. You all should study hard, make your mark, become the best you can be and take a stand when you see something that is not right."

Zachary Lewis of Toms River is a mentor and the father of Kyle, 12, and Caleb, 10, who are involved in Omega 13. Lewis told all of the boys that life is about choices and said they have the opportunity to be the best that they can be.

Lewis said he chooses to participate in Omega 13 because he believes in an African proverb which states that "it takes a village to raise a child."

"Many hands helped me to get to where I am and I am required to also be a blessing as well," he said. He quoted a passage from the Bible to clarify his point: "To whom much is given, much is expected."

Lewis recalled a time in his life when he said he was just like some of the young men who sat before him that day.

"My job is to mentor and help them and at some point in their lives they will turn around and do the same," he said.

He asked all successful African Americans to give something back to the community.

"It is our job to help build our communities. Our community is not just our own kids, it involves the work of many hands. There is no other choice. If we do not do it, who will?" Lewis asked.

Evelyn Hargrove, president of the Lakewood Chapter of the New Jersey Orators and a grandparent of three boys, said the Omega 13 program "is well needed. It helps to make these young men well rounded individuals."

Russell Matthews, 15, of Lakewood, has been part of Omega 13 since he was in the fifth grade. He said the program has helped him learn "how to work with others, how to handle myself in a more mature manner and how to essentially become a better man."

Jahmere Calhoun, 14, of Brick Township, said he has been part of Omega 13 for seven years. He said the program has inspired him "to do better in school and to be more respectful" of other people.

Omega 13's mission is to ultimately "develop tomorrow's leaders today." The organization's mission has inspired Ebony Baker, a Lakewood teacher, and Darlene Harvey, pastor of the Greater Works Deliverance in Toms River, to co found Crowned Jewels of Omega, a mentoring group for young women.

Baker said the mission of Crowned Jewels of Omega is to help girls between the ages of 5 and 15 become successful.

"We desire to instill a positive sense of self worth for these girls.We will be taking a very eclectic approach, talking to the girls about social growth and development, academic achievement and spiritual guidance and development," Baker said.

Ultimately, Crowned Jewels aspires to "nurture the whole child," Baker explained.

For more information about Omega 13 and Crowned Jewels of Omega, contact Michael Rush at (732) 364-9528 or the Lakewood Community Center at (732) 367-0040.