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Go Big! Knoxville Promotes Need for Mentors

The Knoxville Police Department (KPD) and Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of East Tennessee rolled out the red carpet for Knoxville’s youth as they launched the Go Big! Knoxville mentoring program at the Regas Building on Jan. 28, 2019.

Sgt. Jeremy Maupin and Officer B.K. Hardin were each accompanied by their mentees as they rocked the red carpet wearing KPD’s current runway uniform fashions. Both Maupin and Hardin shared their stories of mentoring and the positive impact it has brought to their personal and professional lives.

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KPD Sgt. Jeremy Maupin and Little Brother Fabby Neiwoh at the Go Big! Knoxville launch.

KPD Officer B.K. Hardin and Little Brother Taylor Lawhorn at the Go Big! Knoxville launch.

WBIR-TV’s Abby Ham served as emcee for the event, introducing City of Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero, as well as other community members. Mayor Rogero challenged others in the community to consider mentorship and reminded everyone that you don’t have to wear a uniform to participate in the program.

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Mayor Madeline Rogero visits with KPD Sgt. Jeremy Maupin and Fabby Neiwoh at the Go Big! Knoxville kickoff. Also pictured are Knoxville City Councilwoman Lauren Rider (right) and KPD Chief Eve Thomas (right).
Photo credit: Kenton Sulfridge Photography

Other City of Knoxville participants included KPD Chief Eve Thomas, Save Our Sons Community Outreach manager Kevin Perry and Law Director Charles Swanson. Swanson serves on the BBBS Board of Directors and is still close to his "Little Brother" that he began mentoring 32 years ago.

Go Big! Knoxville is a creative initiative to recruit much-needed mentors in the community. More than 100 young people are waiting for mentors, and Go Big! hopes to recruit 50 mentors this year to address the demand. Chief Thomas shared the news that eight additional mentors at KPD were going through the approval process.

BBBS CEO Brent Waugh stated, "Research shows that youth with a Big Brother or Big Sister achieve educational success, avoid risky behaviors and experience improved relationships with parents and peers." Mayor Rogero was joined by Waugh a few weeks ago when she issued a proclamation declaring January Mentoring Month.

Other partner representatives with the Go Big! Knoxville effort, in addition to the City of Knoxville, include: Knox County Juvenile Court Judge Tim Irwin, Knox County Schools Community Liaison Jeannie Dulaney, and Gene Thomas from Knoxville Interdenominational Christian Ministerial Alliance.

For more information about the program or to become a mentor, see the website or contact Elizabeth Malone, the Youth Volunteer Program Coordinator at the Knoxville Police Department at [email protected] or 865-215-1513.

Posted by On 01 February, 2019 at 3:45 PM