A Unique Model for Mentoring Youth in Hard Spots | Rick Newell | TEDxSeattleUniversity

Rick Newell left a successful career in technology to work at an inner city community center. After seven years, he came to the conclusion that the imperative need in the urban core is positive male role models. This is the powerful story of the young men who are filling that need and how the lives of vulnerable youth and mentors are being changed through an unconventional mentoring model. I am a white, heterosexual, American, male who grew up in an upper class home with married, loving parents. These facts mean I am one of the most privileged people on the planet. I went to college and built a successful career working at places like Microsoft, Sun Microsystems and Cingular. 11 years ago, however, I decided I wanted to work with opportunity youth. So I moved into the urban core, changed careers and went to work at a local community center. The work opened my eyes to the challenges that urban youth face just in order to survive, much less succeed. It was one of the best decisions of my life. Living on both sides of the racial and financial divide has given me a unique perspective on the issues African Americans face. The lessons I learned working with urban youth for seven years helped shape the mentorship program we launched in 2012, M.U.S.T. (Mentoring Urban Students and Teens). I live with my wife and four sons in the Rainier Valley. My ‘free’ time is gladly spent with my family, going to the kids basketball games, baseball games, piano practices and band performances. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx