Senator Sherrod Brown and local democrats launch student mentori - WFMJ.com News weather sports for Youngstown-Warren Ohio

Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown and other democratic office holders gathered in Warren Monday to help launch the White House's :MY Brothers Keeper" mentoring program in the Mahoning Valley.

Congressman Tim Ryan was among the speakers who outlined the program goals. "We have a responsibility those of us in government, in leadership, and in education, to provide you with an opportunity to grow and become the best hat you can be," Ryan told the audience gathered at the Trumbull branch of Kent State University. 
Senator Brown says it's designed to connect students with community leaders through mentoring and provide positive role models.
"We just want to make sure kids, particularly kids growing up with less opportunity, have a good mentor relationship that can help them make the right choices in life starting really in the seventh or eighth grade," said Brown.
Youngstown Mayor John McNally says the groundwork for My Brothers Keeper is already underway here in the Mahoning valley.
"We've had meetings over the last few months, and I think we focused in on the high school age group that we want to focus in on. We've appointed a coordinator for Trumbull county and appointed a coordinator for Mahoning county, McNally said.
 Senator Brown says there are 200 My Brothers Keeper programs in the country, and that Ohio has more programs than any other state.

Warren Mayor Doug Franklin calls it the most important challenge the community faces and the local initiative will be in need of more adult mentors.
"it is extremely important that we get the word out. But not only get the word out, but that we do the work, that we do the work that's necessary to save our young people," said the Mayor.