Allamakee Mentoring Program | Building Bridges Through Mentoring | MY Club | Mentoring Connection for Delaware County

State of the Programs Report | 2013

Mission | To connect youth with caring adults who help them aspire and develop to their fullest potential.

How Our Programs BeganDuring the mid 90’s there was a lot of talk about mentoring. One person at an interagency meeting suggested a mentoring program start in Winneshiek County to help youth build their self esteem, skills to refuse substances and have positive attitude towards school and the community in which they lived.

In a time before internet or national mentoring websites to consult, the group borrowed forms, policies, brochures and ideas from everyone that would lend their materials.

The initial groundwork for a mentoring program in our area began in 1996. Everyone contributed: pastors, community leaders, professionals working with youth, DHS Staff, counselors, school personnel, media, and health professionals. They gathered for two years before developing the Winneshiek Program.

No money. No staff. No volunteers. The group stayed committed and persevered ahead. That perseverance built our programs, and it continues to drive what we do.

Things began very fragmented. One person did mentor trainings, another group did mentor interviews, and another mentee interviews. It was the only way to make it work. The bottom line: Quality is key!

In January 1998, Building Bridges Through Mentoring was on its feet. Soon after, Allamakee looked at what was developed. They liked the concept, mission statement, forms and policies, but they wanted their own name. Six months later, Howard County came to the same conclusion. In June 2010, our newest program was added in Delaware County.

Our programs still rely on the willing volunteers and committed community members to keep opportunities open for the youth in our area. These experiences help a youth develop the skills they need to stay safe and healthy.

Eight Goals of MentoringWe have set eight goals for the youth in our programs. By connecting them with a mentor, we aim to help youth:

1. Have positive relationships with peers and other caring adults (Feel a connection to friends their age and with adults)

2. Increase in their self-esteem(Feel confident and good about themselves most of the time)

3. Build a youth-centered relationship (Give and earn respect and have a part in the match’s decision-making)

4. Increase or maintain their ability to problem solve(Can solve problems)

5. Maintain or increase their ability to resist to use alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs(Can say no to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs)

6. Be hopeful about their future(Have excited and can-do attitudes towards their future)

7. Increase or enhance their attitude towards school(Like school)

8. Avoid becoming involved in the Juvenile Court System(Make positive choices and are not in trouble with the police)

“In this world of single parents, kids need a little extra guidance in having fun and social skills.”

“When we hike, she talks about her willingness to try new things, and she talks in positive ways, like ‘I am really good at hiking’ or ‘I’m really good at reading.’”

When I asked my son what things he does to fit in and is drinking, using tobacco, trying other drugs one of them, he said, ‘No. I just be myself.’

Substance Use PreventionI am able to say ‘no’ to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

100% of mentored youth are not involved in the Juvenile Court System.

Self-EsteemI have a lot to be proud of about myself. I feel good about myself most of the time.

Disagree, Strongly Disagree

6%

Disagree, Strongly Disagree

4%

Agree, Strongly Agree

94%

Agree, Strongly Agree

96%

Source: Mentee Survey 2012

Source: Mentee Survey 2012

Source: Mentee Survey 2012

Survey Says, “Mentoring Works”It’s one thing to set these goals. It’s another to see if we’re reaching them. As mentoring staff, we measure the progress youth have made towards achieving these goals by administering surveys and phone interviews throughout the year.

We’d like to share some of our exciting results. Remember to look beyond the numbers and see local youth they represent.

Mentoring Programs at Helping Services

Iowa Department of Public Health State Funding Sources

Youth Mentoring Grant $50,000/year - 4 years, awarded in 2011 Serves Allamakee, Delaware, Howard and Winneshiek Counties.

Prevention Through Mentoring Grant $47,487/year – 4 years, awarded in 2011 Provides consultative work with Fayette and Clayton Counties.

Department of Justice Federal Funding Sources

Recovery and Stimulus Funding $124,957/year – 4 years, awarded in September 2009 ‘Kids of Promise’ helps at-risk youth be mentored in Allamakee,

Delaware, Fayete, Howard and Winneshiek Counties.

Strategic Enhancement to Mentoring Programs $164,217/year – 3 years, awarded in October 2009 ‘Mentoring Plus’ strengthens matches, offers structured activities,

family involvement in Allamakee, Delaware, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek Counties.

How Can You Help Our programs only function because of our wonderful volunteers, generous donors, and community buy in. If you’d like to contribute to this program, here are few ways you can get involved:

1. Talk about mentoring. When you interact with family, friends or coworkers, spread the message that mentoring is important.

2. Encourage adults to become mentors. We have youth who have been waiting for a mentor for over a year. More mentors are needed in each community we serve.

3. Encourage youth to sign up for a mentor. Every youth —no matter what their

more adult they can trust.

4. Serve on the Mentoring Steering Committee. Each county has a team of people from many different backgrounds ensuring that our programs maintain the best quality for the youth, adults and families we serve.

5. Support continued funding of mentoring programs. If you are part of a social club or business, or as an individual wanting to give, your donation helps connect a youth with a positive role model.

www.helpingservices.org/donate

Contact UsEllen Krogmann | ekrogmann@helpingservices.orgJoelle Nielsen | jnielsen@helpingservices.orgKathy Schwartzhoff | kathys@helpingservices.orgMarilyn Zweibahmer | mzweibahmer@helpingservices.org563-387-1720 | www.helpingservices.org/mentoring

At Helping Services, we believe in an Iowa where everyone has the know-how and encouragement to make safe, healthy choices to help themselves and others.

These positive decisions are building a place free from violence, drug abuse, and unsafe relationships.

Funding SourcesFunding comes and goes. For numerous years we’ve hosted a Bowl-A-Thon to increase awareness of mentoring programs in our counties. Some years this has been an event to raise money when funding is tight.

Our programs also receive important donations and support from local individuals, businesses and organizations. However, we mainly rely on State and Federal sources to keep these programs available to the local families.

Mentoring Programs are offered through Helping Services for Northeast Iowa.

“I like having a mentor because, I get to do things that I haven’t done before.”