Young people are facing a number of challenges as they stay home and practice social distancing. Being out of school and the uncertainty about when they will get back into the swing of things is stressful to many students. Hoping to ease anxiety for young boys, in particular, Steve Harvey is hosting a virtual mentoring program in response to trauma caused by COVID-19 through the Steve Harvey Mentoring Program.
The Steve & Marjorie Harvey Foundation provides youth outreach services that cultivates the next generation of responsible leaders by
providing educational enrichment, mentoring, life transformation skills, and global service initiatives. We strive to be the change-agent in fostering excellence in the areas of education, health, and social well-being in urban and diverse communities; ensuring that the needs of the whole family are met.Created by Steve Harvey in 2009, The Steve Harvey Mentoring Program for Young Men annually selects fatherless teens, ages 14–18, from a large pool of applicants from across the United States. By way of the national camp and regional programs, The Steve & Marjorie Harvey Foundation impacted more than 3,000 families in 2019.
Harvey recently surprised his mentees with “Mentoring Mondays,” on social media and received in excess of 3.5 million views impacting families around the world. And last week, he was joined by NFL Hall of Famer Ray Lewis who shared words of encouragement with the young men.
During the last Mentoring Monday broadcast on STEVE on Watch, Harvey shared the importance of his initiative and supporting young men.
“I know we’re all living in
some unusual times during this coronavirus pandemic. To all of the frontline workers, I say thank you for all you’re doing. Y’all know how passionate I am about mentoring young men — especially those who are growing up without a father or male role model in their life,” said Harvey.“Usually I see some of the boys at my Steve Harvey Mentoring Program for Young Men. This is all part of a new thing I’ve been inspired to do, Mentoring Mondays—offering some guidance to these boys while they’re sheltering at home.”
A recent study polled students aged from 13 to 25 about their current mood in light of the pandemic. The top three results were frustrated, nervous, and disconnected. As students face many insecurities while at home, Harvey and his team are working diligently to support young men.
In addition to his digital efforts, the Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation have partnered with Meals on Wheels, Hosea Helps, Chris180, Atlanta Community Food Bank for Atlanta Public Schools, and Bread of Life Inc on their COVID-19 relief efforts.