Building Trust is the Key to Effective Mentoring
November 6, 2024
MENTOR is proud to partner with the Pro Football Retired Players Association (PFRPA) to provide PFRPA members and their families the opportunity to become mentors in their local communities through the Mentoring Connector – the only national database of mentoring programs which helps people looking to have an impact in their community to find a mentoring program near them simply by typing in their zip code.
Mentoring offers benefits to both the mentor and mentee, establishing meaningful connections that can help to find success at home and at work, offering enrichment for all of those involved. We are happy to highlight the impact of one PFRPA member, Harry F. Sydney III.
Harry has dedicated his life to mentoring boys and men with the larger community, through My Brother’s Keeper, Inc., a male mentoring program based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, which he founded and serves as the president.
The three-time Super Bowl champion who enjoyed a successful career in the National Football League, created the nonprofit in 2003 after leaving the league, to help boys and men living in Brown County, Wisconsin deal with life’s challenges.
The mission is to provide mentoring services with “Straight Talk – Sound Direction” to any individuals who may lack necessary life coping skills. Participants in the program range from ages 8 to 65. The young boys and men are identified by local schools, courts, and parents who find the program after struggling with defining and achieving realistic goals with their child.
For over 22 years, the program has provided an effective mentoring service. The work is guided by research that has shown that mentoring is an effective tool to reach persons in need of self-direction and in making proper life choices. Those who have been mentored have experienced positive benefits including: better attendance and attitude at school and work; understanding and knowing the value of higher education; and reducing negative behaviors with increasing positive social attitudes and relationships.
Hear what participants have said about the program:
“I felt our mentoring relationship was based on mutual trust and respect. I care about Harry, and I hope we will keep in touch throughout our lives. I trust him to always be there for me and that makes me feel safe to share my thoughts and concerns. My advice to others in the program is to have fun, learn from each other and enjoy the experience.” – Gaylin G., program participant
“The best part of my mentoring relationship at My Brother’s Keeper is the fact that I have gained a trustworthy supporter, a confidant, an advocate, and an ally. Through IRS (Integrity, Respect, and Standards) I look at every decision I make differently.” – Andrew S., program participant
Harry’s background outside the NFL has provided him with real-life and world experiences to fully understand the problems young boys and men face day-to-day. Having overcome these obstacles, he has dedicated himself to helping others find success in dealing with the hardships in their lives.
While playing with the San Francisco 49ers in the 1980s, Harry was an active member of a committee that worked hard to help stop gang violence in San Francisco. The Mayor of San Francisco at the time, Art Agnos and Harry worked together and formed a treaty with the gangs to help change the lives of the people in the community by making it a safer environment to live.
Harry now mentors each individual, helping them gain the knowledge and skills to make positive changes in their lives.
Throughout the process of mentorship Harry has witnessed that a key to effective mentoring is trust, where the individual knows he can speak his mind without being judged or his confidence violated. Where he can listen to what he needs to hear, not just what he wants to hear. My Brother’s Keeper has been that trusted mentor for numerous men and boys since its inception.
If you or anyone you know would be We hope that others will be inspired by Harry’s story and the work of My Brother’s Keeper, Inc., we encourage you to consider mentoring at a local organization near you – search the Mentoring Connector to get started today!
About the author: Harry F. Sydney III is a former Green Bay Packers player and coach and holds a bachelor’s degree in criminology and juvenile justice from the University of Kansas. His experience in the NFL, coaching, college, and real-life experiences have given him the tools he uses to open doors when reaching out to those in need.
About My Brother’s Keeper, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that is not affiliated with any religious organization. My Brother’s Keeper, Inc. is a mentoring program designed to help boys and men to overcome obstacles they face to become productive members in our community.