Eureka! Success Mentoring High School Youth

1. Eureka!Success Mentoring High School Youth Big Buddy Program 1415 Main Street Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802 (225) 388-9737 bigbuddy@bigbuddyprogram.org www.bigbuddyprogram.org Presenters: Gaylynne Mack, Proud Executive Director Lauren Smith, Program Operations Director

2. Presentation Disclaimer • The presenters’ views are not always in agreement with the views of other practitioners in the field. The presenters’ presentation is based on knowledge of the field, best-practice strategies, and over 30 years of experience liberating resources and designing program structures that work for young people. Please use the information to investigate its validity in your community.

3. Big Buddy Program - Overview 34-Year Old Local Non-Profit Youth Organization – began as a psychology classes’ course project at Louisiana State University (LSU). MISSION – to provide positive role models and learning experiences to youth who lack access to these valuable resources. CORE SERVICES Mentoring Extended Learning Opportunities Workforce Development

4. Big Buddy Program - Overview MENTORING Mentoring relationships provide children and youth in need of a special friend with a caring adult or teen role model. Mentoring is the core element for all other programs. The single-most effective way to impact a child’s life is through a meaningful relationship that builds self-esteem and supports overall growth and development.

5. Types of Mentoring One-on-One Traditional Group Mentoring Team Mentoring Peer Mentoring e-mentoring

6. Big Buddy Program - Overview EXTENDED LEARNING Extended Learning provides children with the opportunity to participate in positive activities and rich learning experiences in a safe and caring environment. Participants are provided with character development and leadership courses; after-school programs which address academic, social, and enrichment needs; targeted tutoring sessions for students attending low-performing schools; holiday camps; and summer enrichment programs. The programs are designed to provide the necessary supports youth need in times of important transition.

7. Big Buddy Program - Overview WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Formally Teen Programs. Level-UP! provides a creative, dynamic, safe forum for high school youth to develop life and workforce skills. Programs meet specific academic needs, enhance experiences in the workforce through Career-Tracked Internships, and pair youth with WorkPlace Mentors to guide them through the creation of a successful plan for life after graduation.

8. Big Buddy Philosophy…. • WE CANNOT DO IT ALONE… • So we must • IDENTIFY and LIBERATE RESOURCES

9. Why Do We Mentor? 1 in every 3 children live in POVERTY Characteristics: fewer learning experiences, lower quality of schools, family violence, homelessness, dangerous streets, less access to friends, services and for adolescents, jobs. CRIME rate in Baton Rouge is 85% higher than the national average Contributing factors: no stable home life, poverty, less supervision, values and morals portrayed on TV. Research says early intervention is key to lowering a child’s risk of committing a crime. 72% of our students are at risk of Academic Failure For our low income students this is even more dramatic because they are already behind compared to their counterparts in measures of academic success (graduation rates, test scores, college entrance, etc.) Adapted from Kids Count Report, LA PAR, city-data.com, City Stats 2013; Baton Rouge Area Chamber.

10. Ice Breaker Why Do You Mentor?

11. Ice Breaker Why Do You Mentor? Poverty Crime Academic Failure

12. Ice Breaker Why Do You Mentor? Why do youth come to your program? Poverty Crime Academic Failure

13. Positive Youth Development Relationships with Caring and Positive Adult Role Models High, Clear and Fair Expectations Opportunities for Participation and Contribution

14. Re-Focus! √Relationship with caring and positive adults −High, clear and fair expectations √ Opportunities for participation −and contribution

15. Re-Focus! • Current high school graduation rate = 59% • Youth are not prepared for college or careers, thus resulting in a negative outlook for life success • Declining resources • Where’s the product?

16. Re-Focus! Resource Inventory Dedicated and Trained Staff Afterschool tutoring program Vehicles Board of Directors, many of who were business owners Community Partners with various resources (space, expertise, cash, people) School partners Reputation Mentors Current success with elementary and middle school youth Program funding

17. Re-Focus! Changes…. Name From Teen Programs/WordPlay to Expectation Change Increase Participation Opportunities Communication Change

18. School Year Program Design Career Clusters • Healthcare, Culinary Arts, Construction, Early Childhood Education • Community Partners led field knowledge and experiences Tool Time Workshops • 1/month • Workplace acumen and social skills • Mandatory for all participants • Program Advisors with Community Partners expertise

19. School Year Program Design Career Tracked Service Learning • 1/semester – Team Mentoring • Career Clusters responsible for creating and implementing • Mandatory for all participants • Program Advisors and Community Partners WorkPlace Mentoring • 1/month – Group Mentoring • Partnership with businesses • Program Advisors with Business Partners • Junior Achievement curriculum

20. School Year Program Design Cultural and Recreational Activities • 1 every 2 months • Open to all youth in the program • Generosity of the community • Program Advisors and Community Partners

22. Summer Program Design Summer Internships • 8 weeks - Exposure to one-on-one WorkPlace Mentor • Application process • Stipend included • Tool Time Workshops • Cultural and Recreational Activities

24. Results Scholarship Money and Commitments to Scholars Part-Time Employment Offers Strengthening of Partnerships with IHE’s More Funding Program Positioned for Next Level

25. Next Level… Certification Courses • Sanctioned and approved by local college. • Offered regularly during the afterschool hours (4:00 – 6:00) Increased Relationship with School Guidance • Critical in accessing other opportunities • Trust in delivery of services Organize Program Offerings to align with Academic and Social Development Other Partners Attracted to Success

27. What About the Mentors? • Challenges • Mentoring high school youth can be intimidating. • Personal high school experience may prevent one from becoming a Mentor to a high school youth. • How do you prompt youth to engage their Mentor?

28. What About the Mentors? • Overcoming Challenges • Define linkage (Why Mentor). • Communicate clear expectations and time commitments. • Training, Training, Training • Staff, Mentors and Youth • Set goals and celebrate reaching them.

29. What About the Mentors? • Stages… • Career Cluster Teams • Short-term commitment (3-6 months) • Providing youth with various career experiences as part of a group • Sharing work expertise • WorkPlace Mentors • Commitment of 6 months • Individual Scholar match within the group • Sharing career interest expertise • Modeling social skills/sharing values.

30. What About the Mentors? • Stages… • One-on-One Traditional • Maximum Commitment (1 year) • Attendance at monthly Tool Time • Guided set of goals and benchmarks to accomplish • Completion of monthly Personal Development Projects

31. Key Investments Establish Consistency Provide Structure Offer Choice Allow for Social Interaction Allow for Leadership Opportunities Naming is important Training/Professional Development for all Parties in the Mentor/Mentee relationship.

32. ENVISION ! SHARE ONE ACTION YOU WILL TAKE TO ADVANCE YOUR MENTORING EFFORTS …..

33. THANK YOU! Eureka!Success Mentoring High School Youth Big Buddy Program 1415 Main Street Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802 (225) 388-9737 bigbuddy@bigbuddyprogram.org www.bigbuddyprogram.org Presenters: Gaylynne Mack, Proud Executive Director Lauren Smith, Programs Operation Director