Written by Kysha Hancock for Dayton 24/7 Now – The Victory Project said this new facility is an absolute blessing, helping them to reach more young men in the area.
“I am just truly grateful to have had experienced being a part of The Victory Project even though I didn’t graduate from the program, I was technically still a part of it and I took a lot of key lessons and a lot of key relationships with me,” said Phillip Talley who participated in the program.
We also had time to work as well over the weekends as privilege so we could start learning how to make money and good work ethic,” said Joshua Finley.
Since 2009, The Victory Project has been transforming the lives of young men in Dayton, teaching them the importance of work ethic.
“It really came from my experience in law enforcement. I was a police officer in the area, and I saw a lot of families especially single moms that were struggling with a young man who just needed some extra guidance and mentorship to avoid the criminal justice system,” said Monnie Bush, founder and CEO of Victory Project.
The program allows young men to work in landscaping, which teaches them the principles of teamwork and not giving up.
“I don’t know that those skills or how many of those boys will go off and do exactly that kind of stuff, but it’s that idea that of there are tolls and techniques for almost anything you do including software development,” said David Riel of Victory Project.
Victory Project said the new facility on Oakridge Drive allows them to reach young men in high school and expanding their audience.
“For a young man in high school he may actually maybe do tours at a trade school or maybe go to different college tours things like that,” Bush said.
Both facilities offer multiple programs to ensure young men are benefiting in different ways.
“Monday we go over all gentlemen, we teach men how to tie ties, change a tire, and all in between, Dinner etiquette Tuesday we do tutoring. Wednesdays we do worship and bible study, so we have our own teams, we break up into classes,” said Lynn Simmons of Victory Project.
