In 2001 staff at Lawrence Intermediate School, who were participating in StrengthBuilding Training & Coaching, identified the need for a mentoring program for their students. In response to this need, StrengthBuilding Partners (SBP) began meeting with members of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe (PYT). A partnership was created with a common goal of creating a mentoring program that would impact the students at Johnson Primary and Lawrence Intermediate Schools. SBP began searching for funding and in October 2002 was awarded a grant from the Governor’s Division of Drug Policy through a grant provided by the U.S. Department of Education, Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Title IV Program through the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The SBP Mentoring Program was created, cementing the partnership between SBP, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Johnson Primary and Lawrence Intermediate Schools as they worked together to develop a successful mentoring program. In 2009 SBP and the Pascua Yaqui Tribe expanded its partnership to include youth referred to the mentoring program through the Sewa Uusim Systems of Care Program of the PYT Health Department.
The emphasis of the program is on a supportive, caring experience, and the development of a trusting relationship over time. The child is given undivided attention, and the focus is on his/her thoughts, feelings and dreams.
Intention
The overall intention of the SBP Mentoring Program is to provide an innovative, school-based mentoring program through a unique collaboration between the schools and SBP, a community based non–profit organization. The program is specifically for first through eighth grade children with the greatest need. We are committed to evaluate its effectiveness through a rigorous evaluation process.
Goals and Outcomes
The goals of the program are:
- to provide general guidance;
to increase participation in, and enhance the ability to benefit from, elementary and secondary education;
to encourage the setting of goals and planning for the future, including encouragement of graduation from secondary school and planning for postsecondary education or training.
The outcome of the program is an increased number of youth graduating from high school and, moving on to college or other types of training that will prepare them to be productive and successful citizens.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor, contact Pam Clark-Raines at 520-481-7690.