XY Zone gives young men direction
Boys who grow up without a male role model can face a host of problems, from teen pregnancy to drug abuse and learning to be a responsible citizen.
A program called the XY Zone gives young men the tools they need to transition into adulthood.
"We emphasis pregnancy prevention, respect, maturity, academics, behavior and attendance," Kedrick Jefferies of XY Zone said.
Programs are held for 200 members at five AISD campuses: LBJ, Johnston, Reagan and Georgetown High Schools and Mendez Middle School.
A group of young men at LBJ talk about what most guys their age do - sports, girls and the upcoming prom. The seniors say the fraternal bond is something they can't find anywhere else.
"I grew up in a fatherless home and so these are like ... I feed off of each member, each guy here and what they go through so it makes me feel not alone," senior Martin Egwuagu said.
"I keep to myself normally so its a place to come and talk when I need to," senior Marcus Anderson said.
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Most of the group lacks a male role model in his life, and the XY Zone provides the link.
"I know that I must take responsibility for my actions, so in teen pregnancy you have to know that whenever you get someone pregnant you better be prepared for the responsibility that comes after that. So it's just better not to put yourself in that position," Egwuago said.
The message is getting through. Since the program started in 1999 not a single member has become a father while part of the XY Zone. Employment has gone up while drug abuse and problems with the law have declined.
But the life lessons don't stop here.
"Besides teen pregancy and also drugs, I have pretty much learned how to be a man and mature myself as far as being responsible and to graduate on time. I learned that it's not up to anybody else for me to make it in life. It's up to myself," senior Kevin Hadnot.
Communities in Schools and the XY Zone hope to give these men the tools to make it on their own and choose the right path in life just in time for these seniors to graduate.
The U.S. Department of Education, the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation and Glimmer of Hope have provided funding and support for this project.