Charles Thomas Jr.
Chief Executive Officer RESULTS Mentoring
IMPACTING LIVES
WITH A SECOND CHANCE
By Tamekia N. Ashford
Power, prayer and persistence pays off – that is the testimony of Charles Thomas Jr.’s life. Having grown up on the east side of Detroit under challenging circumstances, Thomas Jr. believed he was the worst thing that happened to schools; A teacher’s nightmare and a parent’s reason for constant prayer. He was kicked out of multiple high schools and became what many consider to be a failure.
The turning point came in 1990, when his father was stricken with bone cancer. This is where the power of prayer touched him and Thomas realized that in spite of past mistakes, he had the aptitude, the passion and the desire to excel. He progressed to earn associates and bachelor’s degrees in business from Davenport University. With God at the head of his life, an education, a
nd a beautiful wife and family, Thomas began to see the enormous need for father figures—particularly for those of African- American descent.
He was afforded the opportunity to coach within the Police Athletic League where he found his place as mentor to troubled youth. “I want to be a blessing,” says Thomas. “My goal is to change lives. Many of our young men were excelling on the field, but were taking a turn for the worse in academics and at home. I began to take the coaching off the field and incorporated a strict and much needed disciplined parenting technique with the students who are much like sons.” Thomas saw himself in a lot of the boys and decided that he would add structure to their lives by opening the doors of RESULTS Mentoring (Reaching Every Student Using Love Training and Support), a non-profit organization that provides tutoring and mentoring. The after school program provides tutorial services that reinforce the lessons taught by teachers while instilling parental values. The program meets the student at their academic level and incorporates diagnostic testing, daily progress monitoring, highly skilled instructors and quality instructional materials to help students academically. In addition, Results Mentoring helps schools that are dealing with behavioral issues by providing experienced mentors and educators that service the students.
Thomas attributes much of the youth’s academic and social distraction to the microwave generational mentality; “they want things fast, without much work.” He noted that, “Kids want structure and correction and I’m seeing great change within the lives of my sons and daughters at RESULTS Mentoring.”
Thomas is less than a year away from realizing his dream of earning a master’s degree in educational leadership. You could hear the smile in his voice as he recounts the many success stories of his students. He noted that graduates of his program are now accountants and educators serving students in our great community. “I got a call from one of my sons (former student that he mentored) and he said, ‘Pops, I’m at the airport about to take over the world.'” This particular student graduated from Wilberforce University and was headed to Atlanta for an acting career. Vision 2013 for Thomas and the RESULTS Mentoring Team includes a charter school to help create a standard of educational excellence in Detroit.
He is married to E’Lois and they have two sons, Charles and Isaiah. He is an example that with discipline, persistence and faith, a second chance at life is possible.
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