Youth C5 - ACT Program
Program youth benefit from weekly mentoring that lasts at least one year. Well-screened mentors trained to facilitate healthy adult bonding for youth provide mentoring. Matches receive relationship support for the duration of programming including mentor training and program facilitated activities. Program youth benefit from PYD based workshops and activities, recreational activities designed for at-risk youth, opportunities to contribute through volunteerism, and occasions to explore careers and community. Mentees also benefit from support service management orchestrated through bi-weekly meetings with the Mentoring Match Manager. Parents and caregivers of mentees gain from assistance furthering outcomes for their youth through parental training and managed links to supportive services. Collaborating closely with government and community partner organizations, the program gives mentees and their families ample assistance both identifying and participating in support services programs that benefit the outcomes of youth.
Youth Served by the program are male and female juveniles from 12-18 years of age, who each meet all of the criteria in the following chart:
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Mandatory Criteria Determining Enrollment Eligibility |
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• Hillsborough County Public School student and/or assignment to a juvenile justice program in Hillsborough County. • Male or female between 12-18 years old. • Evidence of one or more risk factors defined as truancy, educational failure, behavioral referrals, and/or history of prior offenses. |
The program facilitates group events designed to complement one on one mentoring sessions. Monthly match group events include opportunities to explore careers (highlighting the success of role models and spokespersons), PYD based life skills workshops, and indoor recreational activities designed for at-risk youth groups intended to foster group interaction rather than competitiveness. On at least a semiannual basis the program facilitate daylong field trips that may include visits to science museums and regional parks. Field trips will be open to mentees’ parents as well.
Youth C5 ACT Mentoring engages parents in furthering youth’s outcomes by facilitating mentor and parent interactions, strengthening family stability, and building parenting skills and resources. These measures have been demonstrated to increase youth’s developmental assets and academic performance while reducing risky behaviors. Parents of mentees in the program work with the Mentoring Match Manager to develop a Youth Whole System File - that includes the names and contact points for all services their youth are involved in. Parents are encouraged to further their abilities as parents of youth by attending the monthly PYD workshops. Parents have access to the program’s activity calendar and are encouraged to attend events as families and also encouraged to participate in special match events.
The program is designed to have a direct positive impact on youth with risk indicators of educational failure. The program benefits mentees by providing pathways to social and educational achievement and empowering mentees to benefit from a network of supportive parents, caregivers, mentors, and service provider professionals.
To apply to participate in this program please download an application here, speak with the intervention specialist at your school, email us, or speak with us at (813) 277-0464.
