Nathaniel Green, a former pastor, said he was compelled to start an academy to reach wayward boys.

“This is my passion. I feel called to do this. I’d rather do this than pastor a church,” he said. “My heartbeat right now is trying to save these young men.”

Five years ago, he started Eagle Military Academy in North Charleston with eight boys, a number that grew to as many as 80. “I took my own money and started a school in the back of a church,” Mr. Green said.

Today, he has 60 boys, a fifth of whom are African-American, in the school.

After reading a column I had written about the need to save our boys from becoming criminals, gang members, dropouts, victims and other negative statistics, Mr. Green gave me a call. “I believe that we are one of the solutions for some of the problems our young boys are having,” he said.

He said the school has an individualized education program. It identifies each boy’s academic deficiencies and then takes all of them through a remedial process to prepare them for learning. In addition to a rigorous academic program, the boys participate in ROTC, drill competitions and sports, he said. Each year, they attend a two-week military camp.

“We don’t tear them down. We build them up,” Mr. Green said. “I like to call it controlled motivated learning.”

He said some of the boys can present a challenge. They’ve not done well in regular settings. Many are under various pressures at home, school or in the community and are headed down the wrong road. “If we can get them out of that negative environment and put them in a positive environment” they can be productive, Mr. Green said.

“One of my greatest battles is mothers who are raising boys by themselves with no father in the home,” he said. Many of the mothers have tried unsuccessfully to get help elsewhere, he said.

When some mothers bring their boys, saying they need the help but can’t afford the $400-a-month tuition, Mr. Green said he doesn’t turn them away, despite the financial strain on the school. “Once they’re in, it’s hard for me to turn them away,” he said. “Every year, by faith, I give out 10 scholarships.”

Mr. Green, a chaplain in the South Carolina State Guard,said he understands the pressures involved in raising black boys; he raised three of his own.

Eagle Military Academy, is located at 8310-A Dorchester Road in North Charleston. Call the school at (843) 873-8800 or visit its Web site at www.eaglemilitaryacademy.com.

If we’re going to save our boys, it’s important for a multiplicity of individuals and groups to help. Obviously, there is no substitute for loving, engaged mothers and fathers and supportive churches. But many children, with and without families, need help. And many social, civic and community organizations are involved.

For example, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. reaches out to young black boys through its Kappa Beautillion program. The program offers seminars and topics on SAT preparation, resume writing, interviewing skills, banking and finance and political awareness. Since the beautillion began in 1989, the fraternity has awarded more than $80,000 in scholarships and awards to Columbia students.

Here is a list of some other organizations folks shared with me that offer programs that help.

A Better Way Inc. offers the initiative Project GO “Gang Out,” which seeks to help potential and current gang members stay out or get out of gangs. The program steers participants and their families toward positive alternatives. Reach the organization at (803) 799-0990 or visit the Web site at www.gangout.com.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Columbia matches children with volunteers who develop one-on-one relationships. Big Brothers Big Sisters is located at 4300 North Main Street, Columbia. Its mailing address is P.O. Box 2559, Columbia, SC 29202. Call the organization at (803) 691-5700 or visit its Web site, www.bbbsgc.org.

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands offers after-school and summer youth development programs for children ages 6-18 at multiple locations. The goal is to inspire and empower young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential and become responsible, productive citizens. Reach the Boys & Girls Clubs at (803) 252-9578 or visit its Web site at bgcmidlands.org.

100 Black Men of Greater Columbia seeks to improve the quality of life for black youth in the areas of education, health and wellness, mentoring and economics. Reach the organization at (803) 691-9644 or www.cola100blackmen.com.

Junior Achievement of Central South Carolina uses volunteers to teach children to value free enterprise, business and economics. The Junior Achievement programs, which are taught to students from elementary to high school, help build self esteem and dreams as well as teach children how to get along with others. Reach Junior Achievement at (803) 252-1974 or visit its Web site at www.jacsc.org.

Oasis Promotions LLC is offering the Men of Distinction Manners Program: “The Mark of a Gentleman” for boys ages 6 to 17. The boys will be exposed to workshops and experiences aimed at improving manners, image and self-esteem. Topics range from effective introductions and handshakes to the art of conversation. Oasis is located at 4949 Two Notch Road. Call Bill Patterson at (803) 462-0704.

By WARREN BOLTON
Associate Editor

Reach Mr. Bolton at (803) 771-8631 or wbolton@thestate.com.