CAHOKIA HEIGHTS – Kids and families can enjoy a golf tournament and back-to-school bash complete with free school supplies, giveaways and more.
On Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, What’s the Formula Mentoring Academy (WTFMA) will start their golf tournament with registration at 8 a.m. and the tournament from 9–11 a.m., followed by the giveaways and fun from 12–4 p.m., at 5802 Lake Dr. in Cahokia Heights. WTFMA founder Ernest Moss and mentor Michael Sims Jr. can’t wait to give young people an opportunity to connect and have fun.
“It’s an opportunity to prepare them for the upcoming school year, and not only to feel prepared for the upcoming school year, but to also expose them to something new within our community,” Sims said. “I myself was a mentee within What’s the Formula Mentoring Academy, and ever since then, WTFMA has become a family to me…It’s a mentoring group that prepares us for young adulthood, things that most people wish they knew when they stepped into young adulthood that they didn’t get an opportunity to learn. It’s preparing them and giving them that support system.”
Sims created Junior’s Golf Tournament and Back 2 School Bash in partnership with WTFMA. In addition to the golfing and giveaways, there will be a bouncy house, resource tables, and a van where kids can receive their yearly physicals. Sims added that they hope to create a golf program for kids in the area soon.
Sims started as a student in the WTFMA program before being hired as a mentor last year. He credited Ernest Moss for his success.
Moss founded WTFMA after his mother’s passing. He left a corporate job to start the nonprofit with the goal of mentoring young people.
Through WTFMA, Moss and his mentors teach basic entrepreneurial and professional skills while encouraging the students to make college and career decisions. Kids ages 14–20 can participate in the program, and there will be a registration table available at the Aug. 15 event.
“These are the kids that I consider the castaways, the broken blades, the ones that no one wants to do anything with. We want those types of kids, because we know that most kids just need guidance and ongoing support,” Moss said. “Some of the kids were ready to not be on this earth any longer, for lack of better words. Now, they’re so inspired and just ready to go.”
WTFMA works with kids identified by the local school district, the Department of Children and Family Services, Chestnut Health Systems, and other local programs, or families can self-refer. Parents can also get involved in the curriculum.
The mentorship program even provides financial incentives to encourage these kids to engage. The goal, Moss explained, is to give young people opportunities and show them how big the world is.
“I remember being a 16-year-old kid,” he said. “We incentivize them with the cash incentives because we know a lot of kids are $50 to $100 away from making a real bad decision. We try to help them with that.”
The organization will do more to help young people and families at their Aug. 15 golf tournament and back-to-school bash. Community members can visit the official WTFMA website to learn more.
Moss added that they are always looking for volunteers and speakers who can talk to the students and inspire them. He encourages anyone who wants to help grow WTFMA to reach out.
“This is my purpose,” he added. “The more we get the word out, the more we could potentially do for these young people.”
If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
