news-record.com

Crossroads: Pathways to Success Inc. has set new goals for 2010 , according to founders, Gerard Truesdale, Arthuro McKie and Terrell Milton.

During 2009, the focus was mainly on career building for the students. There also were sessions on college applications, impression management, interview skills, dressing for success and community service.

For 2010, Crossroads will focus on more personal issues, such as crime prevention, staying out of trouble, planning more for success and rewards for students who have excelled in the program.

During January, the students will take a tour of the Guilford County juvenile detention center.

“We want the students to understand that every action has a consequence,” McKie said.

“We feel that having the boys see a detention center will make a lasting impression on them.”

There also will be sessions this year on drug prevention and the dangers of drug use.

“We will be stressing the importance of staying drug free, not only personally, but for academic and professional reasons as well.” McKie said.

Plans also are under way to have motivational speakers speak to the students about having successful lifestyles and how to pursue their dreams.

Crossroads also will discuss with the students plans for their futures, such as raising their grades to meet college requirements, applying for college, completing college essays and how to go about getting their first part-time job.

“We want the students to understand that rewards come with hard work and determination,” McKie said.

Crossroads hopes that when other students in the program see how these students have been rewarded for their hard work, dedication and participation, they, too, will begin to excel in the program and the success will transition to their everyday life.

The three founders had good role models in their lives and have been successful in pursuing their goals.

Truesdale is a Greensboro native, attended Greensboro Day School and graduated from Grimsley High School. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Morehouse College and is completing his master’s in library and information science from N.C. Central University.

His mother, Althea Truesdale, is a professor at Bennett College and his father, Gerald Truesdale, is a Greensboro plastic surgeon.
McKie also attended Greensboro Day School and is a graduate from Grimsley High School. He graduated from UNC-Charlotte and is employed with Chamberlin Edmonds and Associates, a health care company.

Milton is a business major at N.C. A&T and is employed with Time Warner Cable.

“Service, integrity and scholastic achievement are the cardinal principals of Crossroads,” Milton said. “By our presence and service, we want to impact students in a positive way which will motivate them to have a deep love for our community and to help the less fortunate.”

“We wanted to start our program with Dudley High School students because we believed they could instantly benefit from our services,” Truesdale said.

Crossroads participants must:

• Be enrolled and stay in school.
• Be serious about wanting to attend college.
• Agree not to have more than two unexcused absences.
• Act in a professional manner during all Crossroad functions.
• Refrain from disciplinary problems at school or with Crossroads.

There is no cost to students who are chosen to participate in the program.

Crossroads’ goal is to create positive change in the Greensboro community by fostering positive attitudes in young people.

Deciphus Lee, a freshman at Grimsley, said his information-seeking skills have increased since attending Crossroads and that he looks forward to one day attending Morehouse College.

Steven Thoman, a junior at Dudley, said his study habits and grades have improved since entering the program.

Providence Baptist Church provides Crossroads a free place to meet every other Saturday.

The goals and mission for Crossroads and Dudley High School are similar — “To prepare students to become life long learners, critical thinkers and productive citizens in today’s global society.”
For information, send an e-mail to gerardtruesdale@ aol.com.

To suggest a person or organization that is “Making a Difference” or has in the past in Guilford County, contact Peggy Longmire at rlongmire@triad.rr.com or 288-9040.