Mentoring & Partnership for Youth Development Announces New Leadership

Mentoring & Partnership for Youth Development (MPYD), the long running character development and academic support program for male students at John Muir High School, moves into the 2014-2015 scholastic year under new leadership. MPYD co-founder Gene Campbell was elected to the role of Chairman, Velton Paggett is Vice-President of MPYD’s board, and Greg Middleton has been hired as Executive Director.

Campbell replaces MPYD co-founder Tecumseh Shackelford who relinquished the chairmanship in May. Shackelford was feted with a gala retirement celebration on the Muir campus and a special ceremony before the Pasadena school board. Shackelford remains an active member of MPYD’s board.

“MPYD has been touching the lives of students since 2002 — helping them to grow as young men, graduate high school, get into college and obtain employment,” said Campbell. “Our staff is superb and I believe this will be a breakout year for MPYD.”

Middleton joins MPYD after serving youth alongside Dr. Sandra Thomas at the Quality of Life Center in Altadena. Expressing excitement over his new role, Middleton stated, “I am honored to join MPYD’s mission to assist young males through the crucial rite of passage from high school to adulthood. We will build on our past successes and broaden our approach to help our boys to win at school and in life.”

Mentoring and Partnership for Youth Development (MPYD) is a non-profit organization that embraces all male students at John Muir High School. MPYD provides one-on-one mentoring, academic assistance, character education, college and career preparation and an on-campus motivational speaker series known as “Lunch With the Future.” For further information on MPYD or to become a volunteer or donor please contact Greg Middleton at (626) 396-5600 ext 82510.