Hunley: This cat has style AND substance

Barack Obama doesn’t have anything on the Hatcat.

Way before Obama was elected the 44th president of the United States with the slogan, “Yes, we can,” Hosea “Hatcat” Mills was leading the “Yes You Can! Young Lady Young Man” mentoring organization in Manassas Park.

“I’ve told people about that,” Mills joked Thursday before a program on success. “I’ve made that clear.”

The transplanted Californian worked for United Airlines for more than three decades. But now his goal is to bring troubled young people to great heights — in life.

His organization, which will be a year old May 5, aims to help youths often referred to as “at risk.”

It’s set up to focus on ages 7 to 17, but has worked mostly with teenagers who have gotten in trouble for things such as vandalism and truancy.

“The kids are all coming out of the system,” Mills told me.

One child he’s mentoring has been arrested 14 times.

Others are referred to Mills by probation officers. Many live in single-parent homes.

What they have in common, though, is a need for a helping hand.

That comes from the man who got his nickname from the 40-some hats he owns.

“I always wore the stylish hats back in California,” said Mills, who was topped off by a green fedora Thursday.

He had participated in several groups over the years — for example, he once was named Big Brother of the Year — but he said he wanted to do his own thing.

He took early retirement and now owns a courier business, but he aims to run his nonprofit full-time eventually.

“This is my passion here,” he said, standing in office space on Euclid Avenue donated by Save-A-File Systems.

The thinking goes like this: In a time when too many young people are attracted to gangs and other bad influences, YYCYLYM can be an alternative, positive force.

That’s why Mills invited Save-A-File owner Douglas Woodard and Troy Carpenter, who Mills knows from attending Mount Olive Baptist Church in Centreville, to talk to a handful of teenagers about success.

Woodard discussed the importance of faith.

“Success is knowing God,” he said.

Carpenter, on the other hand, told a more personal story and stressed goal-setting, good decisions and surrounding oneself with positive people.

The thing that stuck with me, however, was an anecdote from the summer before Carpenter’s freshman year at Hampton University.

He was working as a security guard, and saying his goodbyes to coworkers before heading to academia.

One colleague had to toil at two full-time jobs to pay child support and alimony. He gave Carpenter advice that he’s followed ever since.

“He said, ‘Troy, stay in control,’ ” Carpenter said.

Losing control, he said, could mean anything from descending into drug abuse to getting involved with negative, controlling people.

The concept seems simple. But it’s one we all might ponder.

And it’s especially important for impressionable young people who could become proud, productive members of society or regulars at the regional jail.

Luckily, thanks to Mills and his colleague, Nina Maxberry, the former is now more likely than the latter for teenagers in Manassas, Manassas Park and Prince William County.

Though I spent only a couple of hours with them last week, I could tell both connected with their target audience.

“We’re going to get through whatever it is you’re going through,” Maxberry told the assembled youths.

The Hatcat flew all over the world with United.

Here’s to wishing him and those with him Godspeed in this latest journey ...

Jonathan Hunley is a staff writer at the News & Messenger. Contact him at 703-369-5738 or .