TOLEDO, Ohio — For many moms, like Shasta Hill, raising boys today sounds something like this.
"My son is very quiet. He likes to stay on his game," said Shasta.
To help get his head out of his game and into the real world, Hill brought her son to a special dinner at Perrysburg's Benchmark Restaurant on Saturday, where the non-profit Program Inc. was teaching teen boys the things every mother wants her son to know; respect, chivalry and how to build healthy relationships.
It's Program Inc's "First Date" Experience.
"We want our young men to understand and have that empathy and compassion for women," said Tramain Rayford, CEO and Founder of Program Inc. "Learning that during this first date, I believe that when they get older, that they are less likely to be a statistic. "
And who better to take on a first date than mom? As they say, she's a man's first love.
Tramain Rayford says he's trying to help these young men learn some of the best ways of getting to know someone during a date.
"It's all about the learning process of learning who you are with, coming prepared with questions, coming dressed, and having a good mannerism when you're at the table," said Rayford.
For some of the boys at the event, there are no fathers or father figures in the home.
There is no option to "go ask your dad for dating advice".
Rayford says that's why his organization hosts unique events like these.
"It's important that my son and the other young men know that they need to know how to treat young ladies, young women," said Hill. "Growing up and learning these things. How to interact also with others."
The event wasn't just about teaching the young bachelors about the dating world. The dinner also showed them proper eating etiquette.
"Your etiquette means something," said Rayford. "And when you know how to behave and you know how to eat at a dinner table with businessmen and women, it matters when people see that."
Program Inc. also hosts programs that show boys how to tie ties, how to use hand tools, and the basics of car maintenance.
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