Urbana camp empowers young men, instills life skills

URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — A summer camp aiming to empower young men wrapped up on Sunday in Urbana.

Banio Koroma is the mentor behind it all, and is one of many working to make a difference in Champaign County. He wants young men to increase their self esteem, self respect and integrity. He said starting small can make a big difference in the future.

“I’m very appreciative for the program,” said mother Fetisha Pettigrew. “I know that they’re going to learn some things from these men that I can’t teach them.”

After a summer full of fun and training, these boys are now walking away as young men.

“I learned a lot of things, say, how to kayak, and fishing, a lot of the responsibilities,” student Broynnan Warfield said.

Warfield was one of 15 boys who participated in Koroma’s Manhood Training Camp in Urbana. They met once or twice a week, taking away different life lessons at each workshop. Some days were focused on self-esteem, others on financial stability — with the main focus on keeping them away from gangs and violence.

“You know, we’re tired of all the statistics. We’re tired of all the gun violence,” Koroma said. “So, we’re here to take action and we’re pouring into our youth. That’s how we’re able to get them back to us.”

He said he wants to take care of the youth and set a strong foundation because they are the future.

“I’m still 12, about to turn 13 in two months. I’m still in middle school,” Warfield said. “I can end up still using this later on when I’m like 20 or 30.”

And the work isn’t stopping here.

“We’ve got mothers thanking us, teachers thanking us, community members thanking us for the work we’re doing,” Koroma said. “And, you know, we don’t do it for recognition. We do it because that’s what we’re here to do.”

No matter what, he’s committed to turning these boys of the future into young men.

“I’m just glad I’m able to contribute and do my part and make my community better,” Koroma said.

He added that they will be launching an educational media group for families to stay caught up and learn the curriculum behind Manhood Training.

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