[YL] After School Programs in Northwest Philadelphia need Mentors in their lives!

[Valerie N. Adams]

Dear Colleagues and Community Leaders,

As we move to another year, we are in dire need of adults to mentor  
our children who are the future generation of tomorrow.  President- 
elect Barack Obama is sponsoring a series of public service  
announcements through which he encourages Americans to "Be the Change:  
Mentor a Child."

I need your help in getting the word out in Philadelphia.  Please help  
me in identifying at least one adult male or female who is serious  
about taking the time to change a young person's life.  I ask that you  
share this email by reaching out to your family, friends, colleagues  
and constituents in sharing information about Foundations, Inc.  
Northwest University Scholars Project, a mentoring program serving 250  
7th-9th graders who attend Kinsey and Pastorius Elementary School,  
West Oak Lane Charter and Martin Luther King High School.

We are seeking to secure 80 or more mentors who are serious about  
making a commitment are only asked to devote a minimum of five (5)  
hours a month up to 6 months which can be done during the after school  
hours, evening or weekend.  The organization pays for all activities  
and fees associated with the project so there are no out of pocket  
expenses. The attached document is a description of the program and  
the other forms that are required for interested mentors. An  
orientation session is scheduled this month so please complete your  
paperwork ASAP. If you have any questions or need additional  
information, do not hesitate to contact me at (215) 424-5810 ext. 210.  
I thank you for caring. Have a safe and blessed new year. Below is a  
full description of the program.

Until next time, stay balanced and walk in peace...

Judy
______________________________________________________________________


Students will be introduced to the important academic, social and  
interpersonal skills that they need to make the transition from middle  
to high school, with an eye on college and the road to success.

______________________________________________________________________


Who? The Northwest University Scholars Project will be offered to  
residents of Northwest Philadelphia who are incoming, first-time 7th,  
8th and 9th graders for the 2008-09 school year in the project’s four  
participating schools: West Oak Lane Charter School, Kinsey Elementary  
School, Pastorius Elementary School, and Martin Luther King High  
School. The program will serve a total of 250 youth.

What? The Northwest University Scholars Project is a 36-month  
initiative spanning three school years, designed to provide school- 
based mentoring/coaching, afterschool programming, and additional out- 
of-school opportunities to young people. The project will serve a  
group of more than 200 youth in Northwest Philadelphia who have the  
potential to succeed in school but need extra personalized attention  
and direction to flourish.

Program Objectives:
1.   Social mentoring with adult role models for youth preparing for  
high school, many of whom face significant challenges every day  
without the personal guidance and encouragement of a positive adult

2.   Supportive out-of-school time academic and special programming  
that addresses individual students’ personal, academic, and career goals


When? Program services will be delivered during the weekday  
afternoons, some weekends and during the summer. The program started  
in July 2008 and will end in May 2011.

Where? Program activities will be facilitated at four local schools in  
Northwest Philadelphia and will target 7th, 8th and 9th graders. While  
most activities will take place at the schools, some social events  
will take place off-site.


Why?  By providing effective mentoring and supplementary out-of-school  
programming for its students, the Northwest University Scholars  
Project expects to support the following outcomes:

Compared to non-participants, scholars will:
•     be less likely to engage in truant behavior

•     be more likely to avoid violence and substance abuse

•     be less involved in serious school infractions and have fewer  
referrals for inappropriate behavior and fewer suspensions

•     increase the number of class assignments they turn in

•     increase their expectations for starting and completing college

•     feel more competent academically

____________________________________________________________________________


Foundations, Inc. is committed to improving educational outcomes for  
youth in Northwest Philadelphia, with a special focus on critical  
academic transitions facing youth during their school years. The  
Northwest University Scholars Project supports preparation of youth  
for success in high school, working closely with 7th, 8th and 9thgrade  
students during out-of-school time providing life coaching, mentoring,  
and afterschool programming.

The Northwest University Scholars Project is a student-focused program  
that uses one-to-one and/or a group mentoring approach to match  
children with caring adults.  In some instances we will also match  
youth in a peer-to-peer mentoring relationship program with high  
school students mentoring middle and elementary students.  Youth  
enrolled in the Northwest University Scholars Project will be middle  
school and high school students ranging from 7th to 9th grades.  The  
Northwest University Scholars Project aims to engage youth in academic  
and social activities that help them to develop resiliency and other  
life skills that will assist with achieving academic success. Adult  
mentors, who will serve as coaches, will be paired with youth to aid  
the scholars with making better choices, helping them to navigate  
around community challenges, and to encourage the scholars to take  
advantage of opportunities that can enhance their future outlook and  
strengthen or develop personal goals.

Learn how you can become a mentor.

For more information, please contact
Judith Dumorney-McDaniel, Foundations, Inc.

214-424-5810 or 888-977-KIDS (5437)


Judith Dumorney-McDaniel
Project Director
Northwest University Scholars
Foundations, Inc.
Community Education Initiatives
7161 Ogontz Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19138
Phone: (215) 424-5810 ext. 210
Fax: (215) 424-4121
www.foundationsinc.org
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