Developing Future Male Leaders
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William Hoke, Assistant Manager at the center, with participants
in the Future Male Leader program. Photo: Urban News |
Staff Reports
Program at the Dr. Wesley Grant-Southside Center
Asheville Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Department’s newest facility, the Dr. Wesley Grant-Southside Center, is teaching young men how to become leaders. The program created by William Hoke, Developing Future Male Leaders- (DFML), is aimed at young men in elementary grades 3-8.
The program kicked off in February, with a focus on anti-bullying; social soft-skills training on leadership; treating others fairly; proper table etiquette and conversation; how to present yourself; and the importance of education and school. Community members who volunteered as speakers included a local community college professor, the director of the department’s Therapeutic Recreation Program, a college basketball player, and an area plant manager.
The spring session concluded with participants learning simple culinary skills, from making a cheese tray to cooking breakfast, and how to correctly set a dining table. In June, the Buncombe County Sheriff’s department sponsored eight young men to attend a performance of The Lion King at the Peace Center, which enabled them to use lessons learned about proper dinner conversation and dress attire for a more formal event.
Interest in the DFML program continues to grow and staff is looking forward to the fall session.
For more information about DFML, contact William Hoke at (828) 259-5483 or [email protected].
