Everyday in Jackson there are children without anyone in their lives willing to take the time to learn about their problems, dreams and successes. We need committed adults willing to invest an hour a week to join our mission of reaching the youth of our city. Please consider joining our team as a mentor for an elementary school student and help change a child’s life through our TALKS Mentoring Program.

TALKS Mentoring was created by Dr. Harold Davis who lives and works in Champaign, IL. It is sponsored in the Jackson Public Schools by the John M. Perkins Foundation. Using the TALKS (Transferring A Little Knowledge Systematically) curriculum local professionals meet with Jackson Public School students. In the mentoring sessions they cover issues such as grades, behavior, family, vocation and dreams with self-responsibility and -understanding as focal points.

This initiative is in partnership with the Jackson Public Schools, Jackson Mayor’s office, Hinds County Sheriff’s Department, and a number of local churches and community based organizations.

The goal of TALKS Mentoring Program is to mobilize adults to provide content based mentoring for the youth in the city of Jackson and Hinds County. Youth will be identified through Jackson Public Schools principals, teachers and counselors, churches and parental referrals.

During the 2010-1011 school year TALKS Mentoring will be at Pecan Park Elementary school in West Jackson. In the future we hope to expand and provide mentors for the children at Hardy, Poindexter and Blackburn. We would like to start TALKS Mentoring at any school where there are children who need someone to talk to—which is everywhere! Please contact David Perkins at [email protected].

For more about the TALKS Mentoring Program and to learn more about the ministry of Harold Davis, please visit www.talksmentoring.org.