How Young Men United is Building Brighter Futures-One Student at a Time
The Midlands is home to many bright, motivated young men-but too often, they face barriers that prevent them from reaching their full potential. Young Men United (YMU) is changing that.
Launched in Spring 2023 by United Way of the Midlands, YMU is an evidence-informed initiative designed to provide wraparound support to high school students-starting in 10th or 11th grade-as they pursue their academic and career goals. The goal? To increase post-secondary education attainment and ensure young men transition successfully into the workforce.
"Young Men United gives us another pathway to create generational change throughout the Midlands," says Jabari Bodrick, Ph.D., Senior Director of Education & Resiliency at United Way of the Midlands. "We look forward to working with school districts across the region to provide young men with the critical support they need to build bright futures."
What YMU Offers
Young Men United is more than a program-it's a network of encouragement, opportunity, and real-world guidance. Participants are supported through every stage of their journey:
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High school graduation
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Post-secondary education success
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Career readiness and workforce entry
Core components include:
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One-on-one mentorship
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Career and college major exploration
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Professional development and internships
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Family support and financial resources
YMU also emphasizes civic engagement and community involvement, empowering students to lead and give back.
Why It Matters
In 2019, only 25% of South Carolina high school graduates met college readiness benchmarks in science, and just 33% in reading. Meanwhile, careers in STEM are growing at nearly twice the rate of other fields.
YMU bridges these gaps by giving students the tools and support they need to succeed in college and career-including access to mentors, financial resources, and hands-on learning opportunities. The program currently serves over 100 students and partners with local technical colleges and universities.
Modeled after the successful MKE Fellows Initiative in Milwaukee, which boasts an impressive 85% college graduation rate, YMU is laying the groundwork for long-term impact and generational change right here in the Midlands.
How You Can Get Involved
Become a Mentor
Mentorship is a cornerstone of YMU. We're looking for adults-men and women-who want to walk alongside a student as they grow. Mentors meet monthly with students, provide guidance, and help them explore college and career paths.
Mentors should:
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Have experience in-or a willingness to learn about-the student's interests
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Be committed to helping students succeed in and out of the classroom
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Participate in evaluations and follow-ups to improve the program
Background checks are required for all mentors.
Host an Internship or Job Shadowing Experience
We're also looking for businesses and professionals to host job shadowing days or internships. These experiences help students explore real-world career options, gain soft skills, and envision themselves in professional roles.
Hosts must:
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Provide clear learning objectives tied to the student's academic/career goals
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Offer supervision by a professional in the field
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Adhere to child labor laws and background check requirements
All internships are aligned with NACE's best practices to ensure quality and safety.
Help Us Build the Future-Today
Whether you're ready to mentor, host an internship, or donate to support our students, you have a role to play in creating barrier-free pathways for young men across the Midlands. Together, we can unlock potential, expand opportunities, and transform futures-one student at a time.
Interested in learning more or getting involved?
Visit [uway.org/YMU] or email [education@uway.org] to get started.
