Main Line Mentoring Holds Community BBQ To Support Kids' Programs

WAYNE, PA — A community barbecue with music and vendors in the Village of Mt. Pleasant has been going on for more than a decade, supporting programs for children. This year, Main Line Mentoring aims to make up for pandemic setbacks.

Main Line Mentoring holds the fundraising event at Mazie B. Hall Park every year and invites the Village to come to the barbecue and support the community, "one child at a time." This will be its 14th annual community barbecue.

Kevin Stroman started the work in 1994 under the name Kids First Now! He now heads up Main Line Mentoring and is also Vice President of the Radnor Township Civic Association.

"When I started Kids First Now! in 1994, the Board of Directors of the Carr School didn't understand why we weren't getting more traction." The Wayne address of the Mt. Pleasant organization was a bit of a detriment, he explained. "People think because we're in Wayne we don't need money. But this is the Black section of Wayne," Stroman said.

Main Line Mentoring offers educational support along with social and cultural development activities to help "build the content of character in children." Its programs aim to enrich children's lives and educational growth with free academic tutoring and social and cultural activities and experiences.

The organization explained, "Having a mentor to share insights, experiences, and offer a different perspective can help shape the lives of children in a positive way, resulting in better decisions, higher self-esteem, and increased academic achievement. At Main Line Mentoring, we want to be a part of that success by providing the tools and opportunities they need to avoid risky behaviors and become their best selves."

A tutoring center is open 4-6 p.m. four times a week at The Carr School/Mt. Pleasant Chapel building. Students can work through homework and projects with assistance, Stroman explained.

Computers and internet service are available to use when needed, while local tutors provide individual help. Two of the volunteer tutors are Dr. Jean Faber, a retired Tredyffrin/Easttown teacher, and Dr. Caroline Cherry who is retired from Eastern University.

Stroman has been at this work so long that he's now seeing the children of kids he tutored years ago coming in. He said the computers in the center are getting older and need to be replaced. With no barbecue fundraiser last year, the nonprofit took a hit. All programs were at a standstill except for tutoring, he said. The outings to plays and other cultural and social events all were halted during the pandemic.

The annual community barbecue serves as an annual fundraising event for the nonprofit. It's held at Mazie B. Hall Park in Mt. Pleasant. He said Mazie Hall was his mentor in his youth, so the location is appropriate.

"She's why I started Kids First Now! We held birthday parties for her. We had her 100th birthday celebration at the Radnor Hotel. After she passed, we started the community barbecue in her honor. Remembering her highlights all that we do," he said.

Stroman's greatest inspiration, though, has been his mother. "She raised five children and was a community activist. She helped secure me in being a well-rounded young man, and it made me want to do Kids First Now!"

Main Line Mentoring is starting up social events again, and hopes to begin visits to the theater and other cultural events again soon, Stroman said.

The nonprofit also supports the Mt. Pleasant Community Garden, known as Miss Mazie's Garden. A social media post said by the end of June the garden had already yielded collard and turnip greens, scallions, basil, purple peppers, and lettuce. Squash, tomatoes, and eggplant are not yet ready for harvesting.

State Rep. Melissa Shusterman (D-157th) and will attend this year's barbecue.

Shusterman said, "I'm honored to be invited to this fundraiser bringing the Mt. Pleasant community together through Main Line Mentoring. The mentors who make this program possible embody what it means to be selfless as they make such positive impacts on children’s lives throughout southeastern Pennsylvania. The services and opportunities that Main Line Mentoring provides to both mentors and mentees are unmatched – so thank you for enriching children’s lives and bettering our community."

Also attending will be Tredyffrin Township Police Superintendent Michael Beaty and Ofc. Joe Bulter.

"The Tredyffrin Township Police Department is glad to learn that the Mt. Pleasant Community Barbecue will take place again on July 17. Throughout the years we have enjoyed participating at this community event and are excited to reconnect with old friends from the Mt. Pleasant area and new ones this year," said Beaty. "We are looking forward to another awesome time with great people at Mazie B. Hall Park."

The rain-or-shine event in the park at 1016 Upper Gulph Road starts at noon and goes on until 5 p.m. with music and vendors.

Those who can't support Main Line Mentors in person can always donate, Stroman said. And, he added, volunteers are always needed.

Main Line Mentoring describes itself as a 501c(3) nonprofit organization "dedicated to improving the lives of school-age children. Education is at the forefront of what we do while also being committed to offering opportunities that foster responsible citizenship, leadership, and self-respect to children of all ages."

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