FORT LAUDERDALE. Fla. – On the second Saturday of each month, teenager Najai Harris goes to her mentoring session at the "My future My choice" mentoring group. She says it's one of the best things that has ever happened to her.
"I love this mentoring group. I feel we learn a lot here. I learned self- esteem. I didn't used to feel so great about myself," said Harris.
Harris is one of dozens of girls in the inner city Fort Lauderdale area that enjoyed the program created by Oyinka Coakley and her volunteers. Their goal is to expose their mentees to experiences that expand their horizons like college tours, volunteering at homeless shelters and much more.
Coakley said she believes exposing the girls to the world will get them engaged on positive activities and make them less likely to go down the wrong path in life.
"The more positive girls are, it can impact the boys and be better for the whole community," said Coakley.
Natae Downing said it showed her possibilities in her life.
"They convinced me that I could go college, they kept pushing me," said Downing.
The non-profit has been around for five years with great results. Students at Broward College have chosen the group to raise money for. They will host a concert at the African American Research Library at 2650 Sistrunk Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The concert is free to attend.