Young leader works to bring male role models to Matt Kelly Elementary School
Las Vegas resident Michael Flores knows what it’s like to grow up without a father or much of a positive male influence in his life. So when a teacher at Kelly Elementary School asked him to become a role model for a troubled student, he eagerly agreed and began accompanying the student to class.
Flores said the student’s attitude, and behavior, quickly began to improve.
As the founder of the nonprofit Nevada Youth Network, 28-year-old Flores wants to recruit others as male role models in the lives of the kids he serves.
Flores’ goal was to bring 100 men to Kelly Elementary for the first day of school, and he said Friday that he had surpassed that number to welcome back its 400 students Monday.
Flores said the nonprofit group is recruiting men from various professions, including firefighters, police officers, lawyers and elected city officials. Clark County School Board Trustee Linda Young, state Sen. Kevin Atkinson, D-Nev., and Ruben Kihuen, the Democratic nominee for the 4th Congressional District, also are expected to attend.
The Nevada Youth Network provides homework help, reading, art and physical activities to children inside the Sherman Gardens Annex Community Resource Center, which is across the street from Kelly Elementary. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women head 35 percent of the households in the block surrounding the school.
Kelly Elementary principal Alaina Criner said about a third of the teachers at the school are male.
“Unfortunately, a lot of the kids at Matt Kelly don’t have a consistent father figure or male role model in their lives and I think it’s so important for these kids to see professional men and men just doing the right thing that support them,” Flores said.
Commissioner Lawrence Weekly, who attended the school as a student and is a partner of the event, said there’s a great need for support of the students and parents because of the challenges Kelly Elementary has faced in recent years.
The elementary school is among the lowest performers in the district and endured a cheating scandal two years ago. Weekly said frequent changes in administration have also impacted students.
“With low performance that’s happening there, we all have to do our little part to provide encouragement and to say it’s OK, let’s pull out every resource we can to help educate these kids,” Weekly said.
Flores said he hopes to keep the male volunteers involved and have them come out at least one day during the school year to continue having a positive influence on the students.
Contact Rocio Hernandez at rhernandez@reviewjournal.com or call 702-387-5208. Follow @rociohdz19 on Twitter.
