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Testimonials

Hear from our community

We're honored to be making an impact on our local youth. Here's what some of our parents and participants had to say:

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Our son, Davon, has been a member of Choices for several years.  We are incredibly grateful to have found this resource for not only Davon but our family.  As a transracial adoptive family, we understand how important it is for our children to experience positive cultural connections.  Choices provides both windows and mirrors for our son.  The leaders of this group are the mirrors to Davon, they foster positive development of his self-image and identity.  The activities, speakers, and trips are the windows provided to these young men. We are so thankful Choices Mentoring Program exists for the boys of color in our community.

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—Missy, parent

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Choices Mentoring Initiative has helped my son Anthony to self-reflect upon himself as to who he is and how he relates to others by learning new means of self-discipline, self-responsibility, and respect for himself and others.  Being a teen at this age is hard enough and being a minority in the Berkshires is even tougher. Participating weekly in boys’ groups my son sees he’s not alone and powerful by the choices he makes, Anthony’s self-awareness is a work in progress.

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—Tina, parent

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I am writing today to let you know how much Choices Mentoring means to our family and Mark in particular. Mark attends a school outside of Berkshire County and does not have a lot of opportunities to socialize with kids in our community. Then I heard about Choices Mentoring and I was excited to get Mark involved. As you can imagine, Mark resisted and only agreed to attend one session to appease me. The second session he freely joined! He told me he had never experienced being in a room with only black kids. He wasn’t sure he had anything else in common with the other boys but expressed such happiness with just the “being” in the space.

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Mark doesn’t like being in the spotlight or talking but he has shared so many stories from his nights out that I suspect he is starting to speak up. One of the first guest speakers really made an impact on Mark: the president of the BBEC, A.J. Enchill. Mark excitedly repeated everything he had learned that night. He was especially thrilled that when Mark visited the offices of BBEC, Mr Enchill showed him around and gave him “merch.” Mark repeatedly told the story about how Mr  Enchill (AJ)  was happy he was there and invited him back!

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Mark wasn’t sure he should go on the college visits with the older boys but was glad he did. It has opened him up to the world not that he is even sure that college is on his path but seeing the options open was informative. And of course he loves to eat out at restaurants! You can’t go wrong with softening educational trips with food!

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From my perspective, I have seen how much Mark has grown comfortable in his skin. He doesn’t have to fit in, he just belongs. With the encouragement of the group, I see him trying new things and learning more about himself.

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—Melissa, parent

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Privacy Policy
Effective Date: 4/9/2024
1. Introduction
Welcome to the Choices Mentoring Initiative (“we,” “our,” or “us”). We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your experience with our website, Choices Mentoring Initiative (the “Site”), is safe and secure. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information when you visit our Site or interact with us.
2. Information We Collect
2.1. Personal Information
We may collect personal information that you provide to us directly, including but not limited to:
• Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number.
• Demographic Information: Age, gender, location.
• Account Information: Username, password.
2.2. Non-Personal Information
We may also collect non-personal information about your use of the Site, such as:
• Usage Data: IP address, browser type, referring/exit pages, and date/time stamps.
• Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience and collect data about how you use our Site.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for the following purposes:
• To Provide and Improve Services: To manage your account, respond to your inquiries, and enhance our Site.
• To Communicate with You: To send updates, newsletters, or promotional materials (you can opt out of these communications at any time).
• To Analyze Usage: To understand how our Site is used and to improve our services.
• To Ensure Security: To monitor and protect the Site from fraudulent or unauthorized activities.
4. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer your personal information to outside parties, except in the following circumstances:
• Service Providers: We may share your information with third-party service providers who assist us in operating our Site or conducting our business, provided they agree to keep your information confidential.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities.
• Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or other business transition, your information may be transferred as part of the transaction.
5. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to safeguard your personal information. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.
6. Your Rights and Choices
• Access and Correction: You have the right to access and update your personal information. You can do so by contacting us at dremmanueltbile@gmail.com
• Opt-Out: You can opt out of receiving promotional emails by following the unsubscribe instructions provided in those emails.
• Cookies: You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings. Note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of the Site.
7. Children's Privacy
Yes, including a statement about your website’s stance on children’s data is important and a good practice to ensure compliance with privacy regulations and to inform your users clearly. Here’s a way you can incorporate this into your Privacy Policy:
7. Children’s Privacy
The Choices Mentoring Initiative is committed to protecting the privacy of children. Our Site is not intended for individuals under the age of 10. We do not knowingly collect, use, or disclose personal information from children under 10.
If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 10 without verified parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information as quickly as possible.
If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us at dremmanueltbile@gmail.com so we can address the situation appropriately.
8. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any significant changes by posting the new policy on our Site with an updated effective date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.
9. Contact Us
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:
Choices Mentoring Initiative
Email: dremmanueltbile@gmail.com
Thank you for trusting the Choices Mentoring Initiative with your personal information. We are committed to maintaining your privacy and ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience on our Site.


 

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