CYP program Guys and Ties featured on KET
The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce’s Chamber Young Professionals (CYP) program called Guys and Ties was recently featured on the KET network.
CYP works to provide a positive impact on the Owensboro community by allowing young professionals between the ages of 21 and 40 to connect, engage and develop a network of young professional leaders in the community.
The Chamber’s Director of Talent Programs Ashtin Warren said, “CYP is a way to become more involved and improve the quality of life by creating a more vibrant community through connecting and engaging young talent to serve as future leaders.”
CYP member Jake Boswell began Guys and Ties in 2018 at Burns Middle School.
“Guys and Ties started as a way to teach eighth-grade boys an important life skill — how to tie a tie — and has grown into a monthly mentorship program at the school,” Boswell said.
The program took time off for the pandemic but has continued to thrive at the school in the years following.
Boswell said that around 20 male members of CYP have donated their time to Guys and Ties over the years, and a core group of about five or six members has seen the program through its duration.
Male members of CYP from various professional backgrounds meet with a group of male eighth-grade students at the middle school and focus on learning new “adult” skills at each monthly meeting. Some topics addressed have included how to tie a tie, along with a lesson about dressing for success, honing public speaking skills, managing a personal budget and car maintenance, like changing a tire or checking the oil.
“Before the school year begins, I meet with the Family Resource director at the school, and we discuss what topics will benefit the students,” Boswell said.
Students who have shown a propensity for leadership roles in the school have been hand-picked for the program in order to sharpen their natural abilities, Boswell said.
“I love the diversity that the program represents,” Boswell said. “Our volunteers all come from different sectors of the community, as do the kids, so it’s great for us to connect and come together to help mentor these kids.”
Boswell also said that he enjoys seeing the kids’ personalities shine as they get more involved with the mentors throughout the school year.
“It’s amazing to see the kids get more comfortable with all of us and start to confide in us and you can really see the shift in them as the school year progresses,” Boswell said.
The program also provides a way for friendly competition and bragging between the students as they learn the various life skills the mentorships provide.
“Next month we’re teaching the boys how to change a tire. But we’ll usually have one or two kids that already know how to do it, so they’ll be so proud and excited to show off their skills to their peers,” Boswell said. “It’s great to see the kids get a proud bragging moment and be recognized for something positive.”
Boswell said that because of the success of Guys and Ties at Burns Middle School, other area middle schools have reached out to him for guidance on developing the program at their facilities. He said that College View Middle School began a similar program, but utilizing staff volunteers to mentor the kids.
“I’d love to see Guys and Ties in other schools, but I don’t want to over-commit myself, so that’s why more volunteers are important for the program’s success,” Boswell said.
Boswell said that the program specifically targets eighth graders in order to catch the boys when they’re still able to be positively influenced and eager to learn.
“I’m sure high schoolers could benefit from this type of mentorship, too, but it’s better to catch the kids when they’re a little younger and not completely against adults, like typical high school boys,” Boswell said.
By Michelle Ruxer Messenger-Inquirer