Kareem Hines founded New B.O.Y. in 2009. Photos: Courtesy of Jon Cherry
Hines knows the power of a mentor.
The big picture: Growing up in Harlem with a single dad, Hines met his own mentor at the neighborhood YMCA and later followed him to Indianapolis.
Hines worked in various mentoring and community outreach programs until launching New B.O.Y. in 2009.
Zoom in: The heart of what New B.O.Y. does happens Wednesday nights at leaders' circle.
Dozens of boys, ranging from ages 6 to 18, sit in a circle of folding chairs in an empty storefront and talk about what's going on in their lives — their successes, their challenges and what's going on in the city around them.
The evening always starts with wins from the week before — good grades, positive changes in attitude.
Yes, but: Accountability is the name of the game, and Hines doesn't let them get away with anything.
What he's saying: "I'm just trying to have the balance of ... the harsh reality of what they're really dealing with but at the same time I show them I love them."
"I know that we can be consistent in a young man's life. We can develop a real transformational relationship with him and that's where the connection before correction philosophy comes in."
"It's all about the connection with them and the more we can see them the quicker we can make that connection."
