Bridge Builders Mentoring Program
The Glover Smiley Mentoring Initiative
After-School Program | 312 N Dean Street| Spartanburg, SC 29302
Empowering Young Men. Building Stronger Futures.
The Bridge Builders Mentoring Program is a signature community outreach effort by the Epsilon Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. For over 50 years, we’ve been committed to uplifting the youth of Spartanburg County through mentorship, leadership, academic support, and life skills development.
What We Do
Our programs are built on the principles of Social and Emotional Learning. We teach young boys how to manage emotions, build confidence, and embrace community service. Our ultimate goal is to help them succeed in school and life—while encouraging them to one day mentor the generation coming behind them.
Our Goal: College & Career Readiness
We’re shaping confident, educated, and service-minded young men who are prepared for their next steps in life—whether that’s high school, college, or beyond.
The Glover Smiley Mentoring Initiative
After-School Program | 312 N Dean Street| Spartanburg, SC 29302
Weekly Mentoring Sessions
🕒 Two hours per week | 30+ sessions per year
+ Serving 30 elementary & middle school boys
Manhood Training
Interactive lessons help boys transition from boyhood to manhood through journaling, accountability, and goal setting.
Scholarship & Achievement Focus
Students track growth with pre/post assessments and celebrate the accomplishments of historic Omega men like Carter G. Woodson, Steve Harvey, and Thurgood Marshall.
Uplift & Real-World Exposure
Monthly field trips and guest speakers introduce boys to diverse career paths and life experiences.
One-on-One Mentoring
Available by request for more personalized guidance and support.
Youth Perseverance Skills
Critical thinking & decision-making
Self-management & communication
Conflict resolution & time management
Trained Mentors. Lasting Impact.
Mentor Upstate, a leading youth development organization, trains mentors. They provide consistent, one-on-one mentorship and help students build meaningful relationships and academic confidence.
Bridge Builders Dates
Let’s Talk Tuesday – Uplift Session
Date: Recurring, 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month
Details: Bi-weekly mentoring sessions for Bridge Builders mentees. Mentees will have open discussions about their experiences at school and at home. All committee members are encouraged to participate. Holidays are exempt.
Let’s Talk Tuesday – Purple & Gold Groups
Date: Recurring, 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month
Details: Bi-weekly mentoring sessions for the Purple and Gold Bridge Builders Groups. Curriculum will be led by Bridge Builders Committee members assigned by the committee chair. Committee Chairs: Bro. Alvin Lewis and Bro. Curtis Martin.
Bridge Builders Registration
Date: July 25–26, 2026
Time: July 25, 12:00 PM–4:00 PM | July 26, 2:00 PM–4:00 PM
Location: The Gilmore Enrichment Center
Details: Registration for the 2026–2027 Bridge Builders Mentoring Program.
Parent Touch Point
Date: August 8, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Location: The Enrichment Center
Details: Mentor and parent conference focused on mentee expectations and individual mentee assessment plans.
Car Wash Fundraiser
Date: August 15, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
Location: Advance Auto, 1234 Asheville Hwy, Spartanburg, SC
Details: Bridge Builders fundraiser led by all Brothers of Epsilon Nu.
STEM Workshop
Date: September 19, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Details: “The STEM Showcase,” led by Bro. Broadus.
Youth Day at SC State University
Date: October 3, 2026
Time: Departure time TBD
Details: Legacy Group event for high school students in grades 9–12.
Game Day Event
Date: October 17, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
Location: The Gilmore Enrichment Center
Details: Gold Group-led event featuring games and competitions with prizes awarded at the end.
Trunks of Goodies
Date: October 31, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM–7:30 PM
Location: The Gilmore Enrichment Center
Details: Purple Group led Trunk or Treat event. All Brothers are asked to donate candy or provide a monetary donation through Omegas of Spartanburg.
Community Service Day – Trash Pickup
Date: November 21, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
Location: The Enrichment Center
Details: Community service trash pickup with mentees and Brothers. Participants will also make Christmas cards for nursing home residents.
Achievement Week Culmination
Date: November 22, 2026
Time: Morning Worship
Details: Achievement Week culmination church service with Epsilon Nu at the church where the Epsilon Nu Chapter attends.
Christmas Parade
Date: December 8, 2026
Time: 5:00 PM
Location: Meet at Sugar and Spice
Details: Christmas Parade participation led by the Fall 23 and Spring 25 lines.
Deliver Christmas Cards
Date: December 12, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Location: White Oak Estates, 400 Webber Rd, Spartanburg, SC
Details: Delivery of completed Christmas cards to nursing home residents.
Building Bridges with Law Enforcement
Date: January 9, 2027
Time: 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Details: Session with the Spartanburg Police Department led by Bro. Ralph Patin.
MLK Jr. Weekend Activities
Date: January 16–18, 2027, TBA
Details: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. weekend community activities. Participation location is still to be determined. Mentees will attend with their parents.
Celebrating Black History
Date: February 27, 2027
Time: 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Location: The Gilmore Enrichment Center
Details: All groups will represent men who helped make a difference in communities throughout America and the world.
Car Wash Fundraiser
Date: March 13, 2027
Location: The Gilmore Enrichment Center
Details: Fundraiser led by all Brothers of Epsilon Nu.
Memorial Service Month
Date: March 27, 2027
Time: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Location: The Gilmore Enrichment Center
Details: Honoring famous Omega Men who have entered Omega Chapter. Led by Bro. Curtis Martin.
Financial Literacy Month
Date: April 17, 2027
Time: 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Details: Financial literacy programming for Bridge Builders mentees led by Bro. Charles Goodwin.
End-of-Year Celebration
Date: May 15, 2027
Time: 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Details: Year-end celebration with Bridge Builders mentees led by Bro. Alvin Lewis and Bro. Curtis Martin.
Summer Camp
Date: July 2027, TBD
Details: Summer camp programming for Bridge Builders mentees. Additional details will be confirmed.
Recommendations & Planning Note
Lock in TBD and TBA Dates Early
Several program dates, including MLK Jr. Weekend Activities and Summer Camp, are still open. Establish firm dates by the September planning meeting so families have enough time to plan and lead. Brothers can secure venues.
Add a Parent or Guardian Touchpoint
Consider adding a short fall orientation or quarterly parent update. Keeping parents and guardians engaged can help strengthen participation and attendance. The August 8 Parent Touch Point can serve as an anchor for these conversations.
Track Attendance and Outcomes
Maintain sign-in counts for each event and track simple outcomes such as grades and school engagement. This creates a documented record that can support chapter reporting, grants, and district or D9 collaboration.
Assign a Lead and Backup for Each Event
Most activities already have a lead Brother. Assigning a designated backup for each event can help protect the calendar when scheduling changes or conflicts occur.
Confirm Vendor and Venue Logistics in Advance
Events involving outside partners or venues, including car washes, the STEM Showcase, and field events, should have written commitments confirmed approximately 30 days before the event.
Build a Small Contingency Fund
The car wash fundraisers serve as a primary revenue source for the program. Maintaining a modest reserve can help cover transportation for future activities and additional end-of-year celebration expenses if participation exceeds the original budget.
Scheduling Note
All dates are tentative and subject to change depending on scheduling.