1. Big Buddy Program 1415 Main Street Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802 (225) 388-9737 bigbuddy@bigbuddyprogram.org www.bigbuddyprogram.org

2. The presentersviews are not always in agreement with the views of other practitioners in the field. The presenterspresentation 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. began as a psychology classes course project at Louisiana State University (LSU). to provide positive role models and learning experiences to youth who lack access to these valuable resources. Mentoring Extended Learning Opportunities Workforce Development

4. 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 childs life is through a meaningful relationship that builds self-esteem and supports overall growth and development.

5. 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.

6. FormallyTeen 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.

7. Characteristics: fewer learning experiences, lower quality of schools, family violence, homelessness, dangerous streets, less access to friends, services and for adolescents, jobs. Contributing factors: no stable home life, poverty, less supervision, values and morals portrayed onTV. Research says early intervention is key to lowering a childs risk of committing a crime. 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.

8. Why DoYou Mentor?

9. Why DoYou Mentor? Poverty Crime Academic Failure

10. Why DoYou Mentor? Why do youth come to your program? Poverty Crime Academic Failure

11. Relationship with caring and positive adults High, clear and fair expectations Opportunities for participation and contribution

12. 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 Wheres the product?

13. Dedicated and Trained Staff Community Partners with various resources (space, expertise, cash, people) Afterschool tutoring program Vehicles Board of Directors, many of who were business owners School partners Program funding Current success with elementary and middle school youth MentorsReputation

14. FromTeen Programs/WordPlay to

15. Healthcare, Culinary Arts, Construction, Early Childhood Education Community Partners led field knowledge and experiences 1/month Workplace acumen and social skills Mandatory for all participants ProgramAdvisors with Community Partners expertise

16. 1/semester Team Mentoring Career Clusters responsible for creating and implementing Mandatory for all participants Program Advisors and Community Partners 1/month Group Mentoring Partnership with businesses Program Advisors with Business Partners JuniorAchievement curriculum

17. 1 every 2 months Open to all youth in the program Generosity of the community Program Advisors and Community Partners

18. 8 weeks - Exposure to one-on-one WorkPlace Mentor Application process Stipend included

19. Sanctioned and approved by local college. Offered regularly during the afterschool hours (4:00 6:00) Critical in accessing other opportunities Trust in delivery of services

20. 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?

21. Define linkage (Why Mentor). Communicate clear expectations and time commitments. Training,Training,Training Staff, Mentors andYouth Set goals and celebrate reaching them.

22. Career ClusterTeams 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.

23. One-on-OneTraditional Maximum Commitment (1 year) Attendance at monthlyToolTime Guided set of goals and benchmarks to accomplish Completion of monthly Personal Development Projects

24. 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.

25. Big Buddy Program 1415 Main Street Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802 (225) 388-9737 bigbuddy@bigbuddyprogram.org www.bigbuddyprogram.org THANK YOU!