"I've been doing this for 25 years" exclaims local youth mentor and juvenile probation officer Bruce Griggs. Founder and Executive Director of the John Lewis Street Academy, Griggs is bringing in a heavyweight connection to help get out the anti-crime message in Atlanta.
Saturday Night Live cast member Kenan Thompson, a graduate of Atlanta's Tri-Cities High School, will participate in the "Violence is No Joke" virtual telethon, Monday, July 26, from 5pm-7pm.
Thompson, who describes himself as 'a good College Park boy', told Audacy Atlanta's Maria Boynton "I have a big giant love for Atlanta." The husband and father of two added, "I feel like for our young boys who might not have a lot of parental guidance, things are going awry a little bit. I wanted to support people like Bruce who have different programs going for at-risk youth."
According to Griggs, "It's to benefit the Academy's Saving Our Sons Rites of Passage mentoring program." Griggs adds, "these kids need something to get them out of these streets." Through the years, the program has sponsored fishing trips, field trips and other outings for area youth.
They are using the cashapp $correctstart for donations. The virtual telethon can be viewed on zoom at The John Lewis Street Academy Virtual Telethon.
A follow-up event, "Mentoring In the Park", will include real-life experiences with, according to Griggs "real police cars." He says they're partnering with Fulton County Sheriff Pat Labat to make that happen. Mentoring in the Park is Saturday, July 31, at Adams Park starting at noon.