Mentoring
Our community struggles with both an achievement gap
and disproportionate school drop out rates. Disparities in test scores,
failure rates, graduation rates, suspension rates and participation in
both remedial and advanced classes continue to grow. Despite all of the
resources available to the Ann Arbor community, minority youth continue
to fall behind their counterparts. According to the U.S. Department of
Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, mentorship
is a 'proven delinquency prevention strategy'. Moreover, mentored youth
tend to show an increase in academic achievement.
For these reasons, Peace Neighborhood Center offers
several special programs tailored to meeting the special needs of these
youth - Leadership Development Camp, Rising Sons and
the newly formed S.T.A.R.S. group.
Leadership Development Camp
In addition to the 80 plus 5-10-year-olds we served over the course of the six weeks, we had over 40 middle school age kids this year that became part of our inaugural Leadership Development Camp (LDC). This camp, which ran alongside our traditional Summer Day Camp, focused on teaching these young people about what it means to be a leader and the qualities of successful leadership. Through various exercises and activities, these young people demonstrated their personal integrity and responsibility on the way toward becoming successful leaders and outstanding young adults.
The highlight of this program was the succession of community leaders who attended an LDC function to address the campers about their role as a leader. On behalf of the campers and everyone at Peace Neighborhood Center, I would like to personally thank Mayor John Hieftje, Police Chief Barnett Jones, Principal Sulura Jackson of Skyline High School, former 5th Ward City Council Member and Associate Director of the University of Michigan Community Scholars Program Wendy Woods and actress Nyima Funk from MTV’s Wild ‘N Out.
Actress Nyima Funk visiting the LDC
LDC on a Trust Exercise
LDC with Mayor John Hieftje
Rising Sons
Peace Neighborhood Center hosts two weekly meetings of the Rising Sons
group of middle school-age young men, as well as several weekend trips
throughout the year. Youth and mentors attend the meetings which include
presentations, sharing of experiences, goal setting, positive interaction,
refreshments, and presentations by positive male community members who
will share their experiences in diverse career and family backgrounds.
Additional activities include field trips, mini workshops, and paired
mentorship activities. Field trips take place once a month, outside of
regular Rising Sons meeting time, at locations such as Putterz mini golf
and games, Bel-mark Lanes bowling, or Zap Zone. These fun-based field
trips provide a relaxed atmosphere for the Rising Sons group to develop
relationships in a space familiar to youth. Mini workshops take place
at Peace throughout the year. They provide activities for learning and
positive growth. Some workshops include information on sexuality, the
justice system, and manhood. Paired mentorship activities begin to take
place a few months after the onset of the program. Based on common interest,
youth and a mentor are paired to spend time together independent of the
larger group. They choose to go to lunch, a sports event, or other activities
they both enjoy. Paired mentorship activities allow youth to be with a
male role model one on one, ask questions, discuss concerns, and simply
spend time with a caring male adult.
S.T.A.R.S.
This program, which stands for Sisters Together Acheiving Real Success,
is designed for girls in the 7th through 9th grades in order to help them
develop into self -aware, healthy, self -conf ident , articulate women.
S.T.A.R.S. takes a holistic approach to programming by engaging girls
in an exploration of themselves and their role in the community. Although
girls today face a myriad of challenges - including gendered societal
expectations, negative body-image media messages,limited family incomes,
and incarcerated family members - it is our belief that girls possess
the internal assets and resilience necessary to achieve their personal
goals and develop leadership skills.
Specific components that distinguish S.T.A.R.S. are:
- Providing safe space for girls to discuss problems and concerns
- Weekend activities that provide fun, cultural enrichment, communication,
and teamwork
- Input from all girls in planning programs and weekend outings
- Gender - sensitive programming that addresses the needs of maturing
girls
- Learning about culture and traditions
- Access to positive female role models
Detroit Auto Show, 2008
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"Youth On the Move" Summer
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2008 Thanks For Giving Benefit Dinner
Peace House Supportive Housing
Center opens early 2009!
Peace Neighborhood Center's 'Honorary
Tigers'
Peace Neighborhood Center's Leadership
Development Camp
2008 Graduation Photos |
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