TOLEDO, Ohio — Toledo ended 2023 with more teens either being involved in or being victims of violent crime in comparison to 2022.
A local organization is working to give young boys proper guidance.
"I grew up in a father-absent home," said Tramain Rayford, the founder and CEO of The Program Inc. "I lacked identity, I lacked having a moral compass and knowing when to do the right thing. We can look all around in our society and see that so many young men are suffering from the same things I did."
He said there are too many kids turning to violence or getting caught up with the wrong people.
"When I see that I think, these men need positive male role models, someone who's going to going to direct them in the right direction and not the wrong direction," Rayford said. "I think a lot of it is just not having the moral identity of this is the way we go."
The organization works to help young men turn their lives around by teaching them positive social and life skills.
Many of the organization's volunteers grew up in single-parent homes.
"I can now give back and help out," said team member and supporter Dustin Dale. "That aligns with trying to break generational curses. The only way we get better is to stop it and re-correct it for positivity."
Rayford said when kids grow up in single-parent homes, the opportunities to break generational curses are stacked against them.
"90% of homelessness, 71% of dropouts and incarceration are through the roof. We can look at the crime and see that a lot of the young men that are committing crimes are from father-absent homes," Rayford said, citing statistics from the National Center for Fathering.
The Program's events, like The Tie and The First Date, are the building blocks to change. Dale said it's the start of them gaining confidence.
"Over time, when they find their voice and find their identity, you start to see them stand up a little straighter. They look you in the eye. They shake your hand more. They're not afraid to say I am a man and I do have something of value to offer," Dale said.
The organization's annual Tie event is sold out, but people can get ready for the next event, The First Date.
Rayford said tickets will go on sale sometime in mid-January.
For more information about The Program Inc., click here.