HELPING YOUTH — The Prudent Man Academy was created by local resident Ja’Quan Lavender, front center, who works with youths to become the respected leaders of tomorrow. -- Contributed

Ja’Quan Lavender has created the Prudent Man Leadership Academy, a multi-faceted approach in reaching out to teach, educate and mold boys and teens into becoming future respectable leaders within the community.

“We have positioned ourselves as a readily-available resource to help combat and successfully eliminate the negativity they are faced with daily,” Lavender said of participants. “We have created an extremely powerful 16-week course and a curriculum which focuses on — but is not limited to — mental health and well-being, creating self-awareness, building character and developing prudent men.”

The academy has a three “T” mission, which is to “teach, train and transform” young men into becoming the best image of themselves. It is about building a youth which encompasses integrity, perseverance and the necessary physical and mental strength needed for their future selves.

The Prudent Man Leadership Academy’s vision is “to develop leaders who possess the qualities of prudence, wisdom and ethical decision-making,” Lavender explained.

The academy visits schools, cities and organizations and can be reached by contacting its creator and founder through the website prudentmanacademy.com. -- Contributed

“We strive to create an environment that fosters personal growth, encourages critical thinking and nurtures a strong sense of integrity and responsibility,” he said.

The vision is to have principled leaders who embody wisdom, integrity and responsibility, empowering them to positively influence and transform individuals, organizations and communities.

Lavender explained this academy is truly a game-changer for the area’s youth.

“The Prudent Man Leadership Academy is helping to transform and change as many lives as possible,” he said. “Sometimes, all that our youth need in life is an opportunity and we want to facilitate that chance by offering a change. So, let us bring the academy to your school and your city.”

A three E’s model depicted on the program’s website shows that “E” stands for education, experience and exposure. Education equates to the teaching and training involved. Experience is the mentorship which is provided. And exposure equals professional partnerships which can be made.

For information, visit the website theprudentmanacademy.com.