Howard Clark has overcome a lot of obstacles in his life. His father died when he was a child, and no one really guided him as he grew up. As a result, he felt the need to help those who have grown up in a similar situation.

"Sometimes things happen to you in life and you reach certain plateaus," said Clark, of Logan Township. "There's a calling for you to do other things."

Last year, Clark linked up with Robin's Nest, Inc., a children's service organization based in Glassboro dedicated to ensure the safety of children and enhance their well-being in a family setting. Now, he's mentoring an 18-year-old who dropped out of school and is finding his way back as a productive citizen. Currently, Clark is working with him on passing the GED and, hopefully, getting him started at Gloucester County College next year.

"It's pecking at it little by little and trying to get him to come around a little more," Clark said of working with the teenager.

Coming into his life about a year ago, Clark didn't know the teenager's background or history. Slowly, he's learning, and he's glad he didn't throw in the towel when times were tough.

"I saw the resistance," Clark said. "But, one of the people at Robin's Nest went to him and asked if he'd be interested in another mentor. He said he'd rather stay with me."

Shana Cullen, a mentor specialist and Clark's direct supervisor, sees the effort that Clark has put in and his mentee's obvious improvement. When Clark was first faced with his mentee, he brainstormed with Shana about how to approach the young man. Shana said she thinks Clark is "finally starting to reach him."

"He's really brought him along far, and I don't think he would've gotten this far if it weren't for Howard," she said.

Clark owns his own head-hunting business, working for himself at an executive search firm. Locally, he's a volunteer on the zoning board, chairman of the democratic committee and a member of the Rotary.

"We all have weaknesses," Clark said, "but we have to own up to our weaknesses, turn them into strengths. I was able to do that."

Clark said he will definitely stay with Robin's Nest and would like to work with others as mentors, especially males. He said it's especially important that a young man have a male in his life to guide him.

"With my own experiences, I felt as though I'm no greater than the next person. It's just that someone or something has to hit you for you to be able to overcome certain things."