OK Program Changes Lives In The Ark-La-Miss
By: Meagan Fitzgerald
Updated: October 23, 2009
These are the young men of the OK Program. They're honor roll students, musicians, athletes and much more.
Many of them say they owe much of their success to the OK Program.
Larrese Rollins is a member of the program and he said, "Being in the OK Program gives us that brotherly love feel, we can all come together and not bicker or argue, but we can have a good time together."
Jasper Brooks is the President of the OK Program and he said, "I love being in the OK Program, it's impacted the majority of my life."
Many of these guys live on the south side of Monroe. An area of the city where crime and drugs are embedded in the streets. But, they've chosen a different path, a different way of life and a road to success.
Brooks said, "If I wasn't in the OK Program they'd probably be C's and D's some F's. Now, I have straight A's, its been that way since I got in the OK Program."
The young men are active members in the community, they mentor younger kids, they feed the homeless and participate in other activities that help shape their character
Brooks said, "We're already making a great impact in the community because we have a lot of guys we just need to continue to do it and have more guys involved in the OK Program, have them change their ways."
The coordinator and leader of the program is Monroe Police Officer Larry Wilson. The young men say he's like a father to them and he's a major reason why they're on the right track.
Larry Wilson said, "Most of my guys are doing really well, really good GPA's, going places."
How does that make you feel?
Wilson said, "It feels good, feels real good, it's a good thing, so I'm glad."
Larrese Rollins is a member of the program and he said, "Being in the OK Program gives us that brotherly love feel, we can all come together and not bicker or argue, but we can have a good time together."
Jasper Brooks is the President of the OK Program and he said, "I love being in the OK Program, it's impacted the majority of my life."
Many of these guys live on the south side of Monroe. An area of the city where crime and drugs are embedded in the streets. But, they've chosen a different path, a different way of life and a road to success.
Brooks said, "If I wasn't in the OK Program they'd probably be C's and D's some F's. Now, I have straight A's, its been that way since I got in the OK Program."
The young men are active members in the community, they mentor younger kids, they feed the homeless and participate in other activities that help shape their character
Brooks said, "We're already making a great impact in the community because we have a lot of guys we just need to continue to do it and have more guys involved in the OK Program, have them change their ways."
The coordinator and leader of the program is Monroe Police Officer Larry Wilson. The young men say he's like a father to them and he's a major reason why they're on the right track.
Larry Wilson said, "Most of my guys are doing really well, really good GPA's, going places."
How does that make you feel?
Wilson said, "It feels good, feels real good, it's a good thing, so I'm glad."
