YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Youngstown students were greeted by high-fives and fist bumps from a line of men as they entered their first day of school.

For four years, the non-profit City Kids Care and DJ Chip Banks with Loud 102.3 have organized the greeting as a way to get more men involved in the school district and serve as positive role models.

Founder and CEO of City Kids Care, Brandon Perry, said a total of more than 100 men took part on Tuesday. They greeted students at both Chaney and East High School and Middle Schools.

“It’s important that our scholars know that our community supports them,” said CEO Justin Jennings. “It’s been a rough couple of years for our scholars and families with COVID and all of its challenges and restrictions. Now that we’re getting closer to normal, it’s great that this tradition is returning. I appreciate City Kids Care and DJ Chip Banks for doing this, and I know our scholars, teachers, and administrators do as well.”

The non-profit also organizes a community brunch each year, where men are invited to sit down and engage with the students.

The Covid-19 pandemic curtailed the events last year.