FOUNDER NOTE:

"William believed that by returning to his community with a specific plan to recruit individuals and helping them understand the need for change, the role they could play in inspiring others and implementing solutions, great changes would come. Knowing these extraordinary individuals had a tremendous impact on how youth live today, on how their society functions, and on what values young people hold. They were the leaders who “made a difference,” and he wanted to recruit them to create long-lasting changes that would improve the quality of life and decrease rates of violence and incarceration. "

William M. EvansFounder & Strategic Leader

The initiative led by Mr. Evans aimed to recruit mentors from challenging neighborhoods, which proved to be complex in terms of replication and management. By collaborating with committed leaders and documenting their journey, Neighborhood Benches was able to identify effective strategies for recruitment and mentorship development. This systematic approach allowed for a more organized method of managing mentor relationships, ultimately leading to better outcomes for both mentors and mentees.