The ‘Bloom’ Project is helping teenage boys find the path to their futures
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Arnetta Scruggs is carrying out a legacy of service. It’s a mission she believes her grandfather left behind when he died.
They call it the “Bloom” Project.
Trashaun Jones, a junior at Pike High School, has been a part of the program ever since it started five years ago.
The question is what makes this program different from the others?
“I think, for us, it’s exposure,” Jones said.
It means exposure to college, careers and access to the tools that will help him build a future.
However, for Trashaun, it means even more than that.
“Family,” he said.
He credits a lot of that to his relationship with Scruggs that’s been growing since he was 10 years old.
“That’s like my second mom, you know?” he said. “She knows when something’s wrong with me when I’m doing good when I’m doing bad.”
Scruggs admits even though the work is rewarding, it has its challenges.
“There’s times where it’s hard, especially running an all-males organization,” Scruggs said.
That’s when having a team comes in handy.
A few years ago, Brandon Randall went from volunteer to being a program director. He says the most important thing about learning how to inspire isn’t always talking
“We’re going to listen to you,” Randall said. “We want to know what are your skills what really makes you smile what makes you cry?”
They also want to stress to parents that it’s okay to need some extra help to motivate their kids.
“It’s okay. It’s not that you’re a bad parent at all,” Scruggs said. “He just has to find his way.”
They believe the best way to fight negative stereotypes their young kids will face is to reinforce a positive.
“It’s all about teaching them about how to become a king,” Scruggs said.
It’s a title that every mentee goes by.
They hope it gives them the confidence to bloom into the leaders of tomorrow and makes them remember that they always have a support system to lean on.
“It makes me go even harder,” Jones said.
They want to see these young “kings” become examples to the ones that will come after them.
Scruggs told News 8 that the Bloom Project is in need of volunteer mentors.
If you’d like to get involved or learn more about the project, click here.