A Good Guy

With all the stories in the news about people who are angry, disgruntled, and acting out in negative ways, it is a gift to all of us to hear a story about a truly good guy.

We found this inspiring story and just felt we had to share it.

Raymond Nelson, a support specialist at Memminger Elementary School in Downtown Charleston, South Carolina, wanted to help at-risk boys at his school. Many of the boys have no dads, so Nelson decided to start a ‘Gentleman’s Club’.

Nearly 60 students, dressed for success, meet at the Club once a week. During their meetings, Nelson teaches them how to treat their mothers and sisters, how to shake hands, make eye contact, address their elders, and so much more.

“I was thinking maybe I would have the boys dress for success,” Nelson said. “When was the last time you saw someone fighting in a tuxedo?” 

The Club’s motto is: “Look good, feel good, do good.” Recently the clubs name has been changed to “Boys With Purpose”. Every Wednesday, dozens of first through fifth graders walk into class in their Sunday best.  “I know a lot of them struggle because a lot of them don’t have men at home, so I just want them to grow up and think of the things that I teach them,” Nelson said. “They like the reaction of walking up to classrooms and hearing, ‘Oh, you look so nice and handsome,’ they just love it.”  Nelson even keeps a stash of donated jackets, vests and ties at school for kids who don’t have their own.  “A lot of my students perform well when they know someone cares about them,” Nelson said. 

Because some of the younger boys are still at the age where they consider girls to have “cooties,” he bases his lessons and examples off how they should treat their sisters, mothers and their teachers. 

At his own mother’s request, Nelson said he joined a similar group as a child. “It helped me to be a better man and now I can spread the knowledge to these young boys,” he said. 

Just look at those faces, the pride and joyful spirits and self confidence jumps out of the photo. At a time when so many despair over the direction young people seem to be going and lament the lack of manners and general courtesy toward others, this teacher is do something very positive about that. He is changing lives, and changing at least his corner of the world, by teaching these young boys the life skills that will make them better men. What a gift these lessons are to the boys, to their future wives and children, and to their community at large. So to Raymond Nelson we say a great big THANK YOU and a resounding “WELL DONE!” He is indeed a Good Guy and he’s training a whole lot more Good Guys too 🙂