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National group mentoring program for kids and teens comes to Waterville at Alfond Youth Center
WATERVILLE — Statistics today show nearly one in five youths live in poverty and are at risk of falling prey to crime, drugs and multiple hurdles preventing them from reaching productive adulthood, obtaining an education, and successfully entering the workforce. How can we give our youth, our future, the life each deserves?
The Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCA of Greater Waterville at the Alfond Youth Center have one answer in the form of a new Reach & Rise (R) GroupMentoring Program focused on giving at risk youth opportunities to become contributing citizens in our community.
This program connects adult co-mentors with a group of youth between the ages of eight and 15 for eight weeks during the summer, or for 16 weeks during the spring/fall, aligning perfectly with college semesters. Mentors are required to be 21 or older and complete 15 hours of free training provided at the YMCA, graduating certified therapeutic mentors. These adult volunteers will co-leadgroup mentoring meetings and create safe, healthy and meaningful relationships with each youth. Activities include service projects, field trips and engaging activities created from the interests and passions of the group and its leaders.
Reach and Rise(R), a national YMCA program supported by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, has made it a priority to build a better future for at-risk youth experiencing social issues such as poverty, crime and single-parent households. The foundation is to utilize therapeutic approaches predicated on evidence-based mentoring practices and mental health modalities. The proven benefits of group mentoring include improvement in academic performance and marked growth in healthy coping skills.
“We are excited to bring this successful Group Mentoring Program to our facility; it will benefit the long list of youth waiting for mentors to help them reach their full potential,” said Program Director Karla Stratton. “Through this program, our most at risk youth in Waterville will develop relationships with caring adults, families and schools leading to higher achievement and a brighter future.”
The Reach & Rise Mentoring Program, founded in 1992 at the YMCA of San Francisco, chose the Boys & Girls Clubs & YMCA of Greater Waterville at the Alfond Youth Center as one of only 38 Ys nationwide to offer this invaluable group program.
The first training dates for the summer session start on May 10. To register or learn more please contact Karla Stratton at 207-873-0684 x247, or email: kstratton@alfondyouthcenter.org. The organization’s web page is www.clubayc.org/copy-of-reach-rise-mentoring.
For more information about the Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCA of Greater Waterville at the Alfond Youth Center or ways you can help please visit www.ClubAYC.org.
