As a child of the West Haven community, Montrell has seen many of his peers become involved in gang violence, drug dealing and addiction. Since joining the Jordan Club shortly after it opened in 1996, Montrell has found a more positive future for himself and has become a role model for his family and community.

While a number of his classmates were going to prison, Montrell was determined to stay in school and make a better life for himself. The challenges became even more intense after his daughter was born when he was just 16. While many young men drop out of school to work or neglect their responsibilities as a father, Montrell vigilantly upheld his responsibilities. He continued to succeed in school while maintaining a job at a local day care center to support his newborn child.

In addition to serving as a father to his daughter, he is head of the household to his five younger siblings until his mother comes home from work. He makes sure to bring them to the Club.

"Before the Club, there was nothing for me to do after school. My work experience and responsibility came from the Club," Montrell said. "I learned about working in a group and being a role model for younger kids. When I’m in the Club, I feel safe like I’m around my family."

In fact, Montrell has been an instrumental leader in the Club’s sports programs and serves as captain of the Club’s intramural basketball team. Yet, one of his greatest accomplishments was creating and leading a male leadership organization called "Brother 2 Brother." This group creates positive peer interactions between male members. In addition to discussing issues that are important to young men, the group hosts fundraisers to pay for field trips and participates in community service initiatives, such as cleaning community parks. In recent years, the group has sponsored and coordinated the Club’s Thanksgiving dinner attended by more than 300 Club members and families.

"The Club is more than a place to hang out. It is a place to release energy and stress. The Club helped me stay out of trouble and taught me how to lead by example." Montrell says. "It’s a place that I call home."

Montrell is attending Robert Morris College and majoring in graphic communications. He continues to work at a day care center. "I want to pursue my goals of graduating from college so I can take care of my child and set a good example for her and other kids who look up to me."