In the fall of 2008 the Perkins Foundation started its newest ministry, the Harambee Men’s House. The house will be dedicated to mentoring, teaching and encouraging college-aged men.

John Perkins recognizes that even the best and brightest college students at the best schools can be ruined by poor decision making, excessive partying and lack of stability and direction. With the Voorhees Ave. Leadership House he hopes to create a safe and healthy environment that will foster a desire in the students to engage the West Jackson community in which it is located.

Our desire is for the men to get involved with the children, families and businesses of the neighborhood. We would like for the men to create a business project together to work on throughout the year that provides a good or service to the West Jackson neighborhood. We want to encourage our young men to use their creative energy to create something positive!

Along with living together in the house the men will have weekly reflection times with Dr. Perkins and other community leaders. During this time they will study the Bible together, learn from Dr. Perkins years of ministry and try to understand the will of God for their lives.

The men will be also paired with mentors. In a one-on-one setting they will learn from prominent Jackson leaders in the business, ministerial and political fields. Our hope is that the men and their mentors will be able to meet with weekly to discuss school, relationships, faith and the future. All of the mentors will be available to help the men make connections during school as well as after graduation.

Even with a college degree it can be hard to make the right connections and decisions. We believe this program will be a great opportunity for our students to get the direction they need to have a meaningful college experience and post-graduate life.

Please send an email to [email protected] if you are interested.

Check out the Jackson Leadership House website.