As PAH continues reflecting on how the “BE Standards” define the Penn Medicine Experience for patients, families, and colleagues alike, it’s also important to remember that many volunteer-minded staff members embody those characteristics outside of work, as well. For Marc J. McKinney, an emergency room tech and recent recipient of a Penn Medicine CAREs grant, being compassionate, present, empowered, collaborative, and accountable are critical to his role as a mentor for the Boys to Men Mentoring program. McKinney not only consistently demonstrates those qualities through his work, but he encourages the young men he works with to do the same.
For a nearly two years, McKinney has served as a mentor for at-risk boys ages five to 11 who attend the Prince Hall School in North Philadelphia. Many students don’t have relationships with their fathers or strong male role models to look to for guidance. That, combined with financial insecurities, low self-esteem, and uncertainty for the future, can leave them feeling lost or unwanted. As the father of two sons, McKinney felt he had some idea of the importance of positive male presence in boys’ lives, but his first Boys to Men meeting opened his eyes.
“Seeing the behavioral challenges that these kids were struggling with, the anger issues, the desperation for someone to listen to them — it was like something grabbed hold of me. I knew I needed to do whatever I could to help,” McKinney said. “You see the statistics on TV and in the newspapers — the violence, the poverty, the high rates of incarceration for young black men. I felt like I needed to help save our boys and that it had to be done from the inside by creating change in them.”
As a mentor, McKinney serves as a teacher, challenger, and cheerleader for the students both during and after school hours. Rather than pushing the boys to “toughen up” and overcome difficulties on their own, the program dismantles those elements of toxic masculinity by instead promoting empathy, vulnerability, and active listening. He encourages them to express themselves, own their talents and dreams, learn from their mistakes, and take responsibility for their future by figuring out who they want to be.
McKinney also helps students develop vital life skills ranging from maintaining eye contact to learning financial responsibility. The boys are given the tools to make healthy eating and living decisions, and personal grooming and manners are frequent topics. Even something as simple as a handshake and teaching them how to tie a tie can be a huge deal. The program also offers sports mentoring, and with his CAREs grant, McKinney hopes to plan more weekend activities, such as a retreat. With his health care background, he is also able to offer training in basic first aid and CPR, as well as to encourage boys to pursue careers in the field by working and studying hard.
Aside from seeing improvements in academic performance and reduced disciplinary issues, McKinney has watched troubled kids experience dramatic shifts in attitude and perspective, noting, “They love the interactions and the learning opportunities, and they seem to already understand the ‘big picture’ impact of having someone in their corner that they can count on.”
In the near future, McKinney hopes to join the program’s board so he can take action and explore new activity options and expand the reach of Boys to Men Mentoring to other communities in need.
“This program is critical because we’re training the boys of tomorrow. They’re our next generation, our next group of citizens, our next voters, and they need guidance,” McKinney said. “I’m so passionate about this endeavor because I understand the impact that this type of outreach can have. These kids have so much potential and strength, and they just need a chance and some support. It really can change lives.”
Interested in pursuing your own Penn Medicine CAREs grant? To learn more about how you can support your favorite organizations or fund a new outreach opportunity, visit PennMedicine.org/Community.