Male Mentorship Experience is more than just a program. It provides lessons that will benefit participants for years to come. In short, it can be lifechanging.
Offered by Huntsville Parks & Recreation, the mentoring program is for young men ages 8 to 17. It focuses on building character, boosting confidence and teaching life skills through one-on-one mentorship, group activities and real-world demonstrations.
Leading by example is a key part of the Male Mentorship Experience. Brian Wilson and Tony LaMarr with Huntsville Parks & Recreation play a pivotal role in the operations of the program and share the sentiment that the program is built specifically not only to teach but also to show young men how to be successful adults.
“Mentorship is much more than just telling someone how to do the right thing. Mentorship is leading by demonstration to inspire mentees to want the same skills for themselves,” Wilson said.
Program benefits
The mentorship program not only benefits mentees. It also creates a space for parents, mentors and families to build connections and support systems. That sense of community is exactly what drew Sandy Rodriguez, a mother and returning Huntsville resident, to the program.
After being away from Huntsville for 18 years, Rodriguez and her family moved back in search of the perfect place to build a village of support for her family. Shortly after relocating, she discovered the Male Mentorship Experience by chance when she and her son, Christian, 11, came across a Huntsville Parks & Recreation outreach table. Rodriguez received a pamphlet, and the words “low cost” caught her eye.
“I went home and read about the program online and immediately decided to enroll Christian,” Rodriguez said. “This was just the kind of experience I was looking for him to be involved in.”
Christian quickly formed lasting connections with his mentor, other participants and even Parks & Recreation staff who supervise the program. Rodriguez said while her son has always been a natural leader, the program gave him the tools to use those skills in meaningful ways. She said Christian even encourages other classmates to join and shares the lessons he has learned.
Christian said he’s learned life skills, how to make a strong first impression and more. His favorite parts of the program are, of course, the field trips, where he can have fun and spend time with his friends.
For Rodriguez, one of the most valuable parts of the experience has been parent involvement. The program gives parents and guardians opportunities to talk, share their experiences and support one another.
“You never know who else might be going through the same thing as you,” she said. “It really helps to hear from other parents and feel like you’re not alone.”
Sense of connection
That sense of connection is what Huntsville Parks & Recreation hopes to foster, not only through the Male Mentorship Experience but through all its programs. The goal is to create a nurturing environment and enrich the quality of life for participants and their families, ultimately building stronger communities.
“Our goal is to enhance the lives of the mentees and their families by providing opportunities for growth, connection and support,” said Parks & Recreation Director James Gossett. “When we invest in youth programs and create these networks, we are investing in the future of our community.”
Registration for the Male Mentorship Experience 2025-2026 program year is now open . Spots are limited, so sign up today and start building your village.
