The Hope Academy has kicked off its second class in Brookhaven.

In 2022, Commandant Ken Claiborne brought The Hope Academy to the city with the goal of challenging young males to make positive choices in their lives.

Claiborne, retired after 31 years of active duty in the U.S. Army and more than 20 years with the Department of Defense, drew from his experiences in life, career and Christian ministry to found the academy in 2013 on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

“We build a community coalition with police chiefs, officers, courts, mothers, community leaders, etc.,” Claiborne said. “It’s such a great thing to see, when the graduates see the community’s involvement in their lives.”

The first class of the academy in Brookhaven saw more than one dozen enroll and four graduate.

Saturday, Claiborne began the class with 13 cadets enrolled.

Ten of the cadets showed up for the initial three-hour class, all from Brookhaven, and currently enrolled in various schools, Claiborne said.

“The age range is 12 to 17, yet we accepted two 9-year-olds for this class,” he said.

The academy meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5-7:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.

The program will end Sept. 30, with a graduation ceremony to follow one week later.

“We will still need additional funding to complete this class,” Claiborne said, “and support for our Thursday meals, for which Ms. Mimi Smith is doing a great job, but she needs help.”

Claiborne said four of the cadets are also receiving support from Johnny DeBarry, who he called “a big help.”

“The Mayor and city council stepped up to provide some much-needed initial funding, also,” the commandant said. “Mr. Sha Walker and The Jumpstart Program have given us a great start, but we have a long way to go.”

The academy is a 90-day military-based program of learning and hope for at-risk males in need of mentorship.

“It’s designed for those who need a place to go and don’t have any hope. They can’t see a way. We want these young people to know somebody cares,” he said.

“These young men are the real superstars. Follow their journey to graduation,” said Claiborne.