Mentoring and meeting needs Michael Phelon started The Outlet mentoring program in 2004. It s located on South 12th Street, though this year, the 30 mentors are mostly connecting with youth remotely. The program serves 48 youth from in and around Springfield with a focus on boys and young men from fatherless households. This year, Phelon has seen an enormous amount of personal loss. His mother and uncle died, as did his mentor, Dr. Clarice Ford, and his right-hand man at The Outlet, Marcus Butler Sr. It s been rough for us. Most of the young guys that I work with, they are already coming from hard situations, said Phelon.