The Impact of Mentorship With Vondale Singleton

The Chicagoan

“Every young person is born to win.” This is Vondale Singleton’s model for every situation in life. Vondale is the CEO of Champs Male Mentoring Program; his journey into mentorship stemming from losing his mother to drugs at only 29. Something he believes could be different, if only she had a mentor.

“You know, losing a mom at an early age, when I was 14, I knew that I was going to have to fight much harder. I didn't have the support that I would need to process life. And so that's why I thank God for mentorship.”

Exposure is critical. Vondale learned from watching people who made mistakes and decided, “This is not what I want to do. I can’t go down that road. You can’t just decide not to do something without being attached to it.

“So for us, as a Champs Program is not about saying don't be a part of a gang, don't sell drugs, don't drink, don't do all that. What are we doing to show them what's possible?”

The exposure and opportunities we’ve provided our young people are centered around getting them in an environment where they can see something that the brain cells will light up. Once you take that path, don’t forget the steps to get there and pass the formula or that blueprint to somebody else.”

Vondale believes in innovation behind mentorship. He aims to understand the champ's dreams first in order to create pathways and inspire them to achieve those dreams.

“It’s not just like let's go eat a hot dog, and that's mentorship. No, It's like, let's find out while we eat the hot dog, what you want to be, and let's get as many people around you that will help you get there.”

Tune into the episode as we explore Vondale’s journey into mentorship, his three crucial E’s in mentorship and the challenges he has overcome along the way.