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Mentoring Programs Remain Strong
Exceptional Clubs Recognized at National Training
The National Native American Mentoring Program has grown tremendously since its launch in 2004. Over 400 mentoring relationships were established in 27 Boys & Girls Clubs during the 2007-2008 program year. Because of this accomplishment, the two branches of the National Native American Mentoring Program received continuation funding for another year of programming.
In November 2008, representatives from program sites gathered in Scottsdale, Arizona to participate in a two-day national implementation training. This training provided Club staff members with tools to enhance and sustain their programs during the next program year. During the training, participants had the opportunity to take a tour of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale, Lehi Branch.
On the first day of the training, Deborah Yatsko, program administrator from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services welcomed the group and thanked them for their efforts in making the mentoring program a success. Ms. Yatsko was recently appointed to oversee the national Mentoring Children of Prisoners (MCP) initiative. She congratulated the MCP sites for working to help the Mentoring Children of Prisoners program reach its goal of 100,000 matches. President Bush commended the program for this accomplishment. At the National Mentoring Children of Prisoners Conference, the National Native American Mentoring Program received an award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for being a benchmarking grantee. This award recognizes the program for demonstrating promising practices that promote quality services for youth and their families. The program was also featured in a recent publication, Mentoring Children of Prisoners: 100,000 Matches Strong and Growing.
Susan Weinberger, President of the Mentor Consulting Group (MCG), engaged participants in discussion on the topics of recruitment, sustainability, peer mentoring, and match terminations. These topics were selected because Club staff members expressed an interest in them prior to the training.
At the end of the day, participants traveled to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale, Lehi Branch for a Club tour. They were able to see a number of programs in action and meet some of the Club members. The Club building also serves as a community center, so participants were able to observe a tribal council meeting. The tour concluded with a dinner of traditional Native American foods and a cultural music performance by a teen Club member. Awards were given to Clubs that had met their mentor/mentee match goals for the year. The following Clubs were recognized for their achievements:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Mentoring Children of Prisoners Program:
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Three Affiliated Tribes, ND
Boys & Girls Clubs of Dine Nation – Crownpoint (Tiists'oos Nideeshgish) Unit, NM
Boys & Girls Club of Nowata, OK
Boys & Girls Club of Ottawa County, OK
Boys & Girls Clubs of Tahlequah, OK
U.S. Department of Justice Traditional Mentoring Program:
Boys & Girls Club of the Lewis Clark Valley – Lapwai Unit, ID
Boys & Girls Club of Grand Traverse – Peshawbestown Unit, MI
Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Cheyenne Nation, MT
The McCurtain County Boys & Girls Club of the Choctaw Nation, Inc., OK
Boys & Girls Club of Snohomish County, Inc., - Tulalip Unit, WA
Mark LoMurray, Outreach Services, Inc., facilitated the second day of training. He discussed community organizing, sustaining matches, working with parents, and implementing the program in Native American communities. Mr. LoMurray also shared activity ideas designed to help mentors and mentees get to know one another. Participants had the opportunity to play a few of these games and experience their effectiveness first-hand.
The National Native American Mentoring Program has created more than 400 mentoring relationships so far. The program will continue to thrive and reach children in need of extra attention and support. In fact, LaVon Bakken, mentoring program coordinator for the Boys & Girls Club of White Earth, MN, expressed that the mentoring program is helping her community come together. She says, “This program is great for our nation. Elders, community leaders, and Club members want the program to succeed.”
For more information about the National Native American Mentoring Program, contact Kristen Lichtenwalner at klichtenwalner@firstpic.org.
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