In 2017 Anthony McCauley left his position as the Director of Human Resources at a company in Jacksonville, Florida to return to his home state of North Carolina to follow his dream of training males to be men.
For five years Anthony developed a vision in which grounded men would work with middle school and high school students to mentor them. In December 2017, this vision came into fruition.
The program, Males of Distinction, currently meets on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM at Southern Middle School.
Anthony currently mentors six students from Moore County and is working to make Males of Distinction a 501c3 program.
Males of Distinction is about mentoring – not tutoring. The students, ranging from middle school to high school, are taught valuable life skills such as how to make educational decisions and budget finances.
“We’ll follow them through high school and into college,” Anthony said. “I’m big on education because it will help you. Even if you work at McDonald’s, you can work your way up to become a manager.”
Anthony is planning to do outings with the students to do things such as community service and feeding the homeless.
He also hopes to go teach things such as how to cook, change oil in a car, change a tire, and other necessary skills.
“Most students come from single-mother homes,” Anthony said.
One student was doing poorly in school when Anthony began working with him. Anthony helped clean the student’s room and taught him how to take out the trash and do laundry. Shortly after, grades began to improve.
“My vision is to enhance and empower young men to greatness and to be successful and find real self worth,” Anthony said. “I want them to know it’s okay when you go through life changes. Each and every one has a purpose for life and a gift.”
Anthony also holds the students accountable and keeps it real when speaking to them.
“They’re so smart. When you sugar-coat it, they call you out,” he said.
Anthony is currently looking for volunteers, primarily men, who can help pour into the lives of these students. Males of Distinction also needs funding so that the students can go on outings.
To partner, volunteer, or donate funds, call Anthony McCauley at (910) 286-3894. Visit malesofdistinction@gmail.com for more information and “Like” their Facebook Page at facebook.com/malesofdistinction.
