Ron C.

The Last 16 Years

DELRAY BEACH - The Knights of Pythagoras Mentoring Network, is a character-building, mentorship and gang prevention program designed to foster leadership, academic success and civic-mindedness in youth ages 7 to 17.
It provides these boys with mentoring, academic tutoring and leadership training.
Founded by C. Ron Allen, a reporter for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel since 1987, the Knights program includes field trips, community service and involvement in team sports in Palm Beach and Broward counties.
More than 130 boys have been enrolled in the program since its inception and to date, 14 have either graduated or are still enrolled in college, eight have enlisted in the military, two are in the Job Corps, three are athletic coaches in area schools and one is working as a local mortician.
That attracted the attention of Gov. Jeb Bush, who in November 2006 honored Allen with a Points of Light Award.
He also received the 2006 African American Achievers Award for Community Service from JM Family Enterprises and recently received the Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Ken Ellingsworth Community Service Award.
Allen, of Delray Beach, also gives a $500 college scholarship to a deserving high school senior every year.
In January, KOPMN sponsored its female auxiliary for young girls ages 7 to 17 in South Florida.
“All they need is someone to show them some love,” Allen said. “I challenge every man out there to invest one hour in one of these boys each month. That’s all we ask. It makes a big difference.”
- 30 -