Young participants engaged in teamwork during a mentorship program in Savannah.
Savannah is witnessing initiatives aimed at empowering its youth through mentorship and innovative programming. Organizations like the Martin de Porres Society and Girls Code Savannah are nurturing future leaders by providing resources for emotional and social development. Recent events have highlighted successful mentoring efforts, including a significant scholarship win for competitors at a national conference. New initiatives are also expanding engagement and skill-building opportunities for young people, particularly in tech and coding.
The city of Savannah is witnessing powerful initiatives aimed at empowering its youth through mentorship and innovative programming. Local organizations are addressing significant challenges faced by children, with the mission of nurturing future leaders and innovators. A strong emphasis is placed on providing resources and support to enhance the emotional and social development of young people in the community.
Established in 1986 by Dr. George and Yolanda Negron, the Martin de Porres Society plays a key role in supporting local youth with love and compassion. The Society collaborates with churches and charities to meet the fundamental needs of children in Savannah, reinforcing the belief that every child deserves the opportunity to become a happy, healthy adult. A notable fundraising event, the 7th annual Jazz Benefit Concert, took place in June 2025 at Congregation Mickve Israel. Proceeds from this concert specifically benefit the Martin de Porres Society’s Camp Lighthouse program, which offers positive summer experiences for underserved children.
Adding to this momentum, the 100 Black Men of Savannah, Inc. announced that their team won 1st place at the 39th Annual Conference of the 100 Black Men of America in New Orleans. Competing among 17 other teams nationwide, team members Jonathan Cephlia and Nkoy Mitchell showcased their knowledge of African-American history, illustrating the importance of these educational initiatives. Their coach expressed pride in their teamwork and overall achievement, culminating in a $3,000 scholarship in recognition of their victory.
In response to the growing need for youth mentorship in Chatham County, The Front Porch launched the Savannah Youth Mentoring Hub. This new initiative aims to connect families with mentoring resources and includes a dedicated website, a weekly podcast, and monthly meetings. The platform is designed to increase awareness about the significance of youth mentoring, creating opportunities for community engagement.
A collaboration between the Savannah Youth Mentoring Hub and Girls Code Savannah resulted in young girls building the Hub’s website, fostering teamwork, and enhancing coding skills. At the Girls Code camp, participants were organized into groups to design elements of the website, focusing on graphic design, UI/UX coding, and data engineering. This hands-on approach not only empowers students with essential tech skills but also creates pathways to lucrative careers in the technology industry. Furthermore, the program promotes diversity within the tech sector by making coding training accessible to students from underserved communities.
Girls Code Savannah has also made strides in promoting racial diversity and gender inclusion in tech, accepting male participants and creating an environment that fosters teamwork among diverse groups. Feedback from parents has been overwhelmingly positive, indicating that participation in Girls Code Savannah provides significant advantages for students as they pursue future career opportunities.
Lesli Ott, the Executive Director of Girls Code Savannah, is driven by personal motivations to bridge economic and educational gaps in coding, highlighting the organization’s commitment to fostering a community of empowered youth. Future initiatives will showcase student accomplishments, including a presentation at the Well-Tech World Summit in Brighton, England, scheduled for February 2025, further highlighting the potential of Savannah’s youth.
The Front Porch’s efforts also extend to community engagement through sponsored podcasts that aim to start conversations about youth mentoring in Savannah. By bringing awareness to the opportunities available for mentorship and education, these organizations collectively strive to create a brighter future for the youth of Savannah.
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