“The mentoring and life-skill programs that the KB Foundation offers provided a very transformative experience for Tyler.

Many Philadelphia-based mentorship programs target troubled youth or underprivileged boys looking to guide them away from a path of unfavorable decisions. I sat in several sessions to hear more about the KB Foundation, and not once did any of the presenters mention what their expectations or objectives were. They merely stated that their goal was to expose our young adults to various career paths and allow them to make a choice for their future.

Being a single Dad raising Tyler I really did not think that he would benefit or continue engaging with a mentoring program. However, four years later he is still energetically engaged to being a part of this program.

In 2022 we were introduced to the KB Foundation with an invitation to participate in a 3-day mentoring camp. His mother was very hesitant about allowing him to go away for 3 days with a group of men with which we were not familiar. When the bus returned Tyler had this big grin on his face and said, “I really had a good time at camp, and I was exposed to a lot of different things.” This was the start of something big.

Less than 12 months later he was flying to the Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire, Africa) with nine other young men from the KB Foundation. This was the experience of a lifetime. One of the things I valued was the post-trip meeting where all ten of the traveling Mentees were invited to. During this session they were asked to sit in a circle with a Moderator who asked them to reflect on what they learned during their stay in West Africa. Each Mentee began by stating how different the West African young men were and how proud the West Africans were to show the American visitors their customs and traditions.

I have been hearing the KB Foundation catch phrase “Exposure is Life” however, I feel it’s much more here. They present choices, provide links and opportunities to the youths at an early age, which is something I was never exposed to when I was their age. The mentorship program did not just provide Tyler with a wonderful experience; it helped him grow emotionally, socially, as well as personally. I am deeply grateful for the positive impact it had on Tyler’s life.”