The New Beginnings Mentoring Initiative is now accepting mentees, ages 11-15, who reside in the Greater Baton Rouge area.
“Many children in our program face unique challenges. Some are most vulnerable to feelings of guilt, sadness, isolation, promiscuity and other emotions and blame themselves for the problems they face,” says Gabrielle Briley-Johnson/CEO and Founder of Face to Face Enrichment Center. The New Beginnings Mentoring Initiative is designed to uplift and empower these young kids and to let them know there is hope,” says Briley-Johnson.
Face to Face Enrichment Center is one of four organizations throughout the country to receive federal funding under the Mentoring Enhancement Demonstration Program.
New Beginnings seeks mentor advocates in Ascension Parish, East Baton Rouge Parish and surrounding areas.
The project’s community-based approach, which is designed to reduce risk factors for juvenile delinquency, allows selected mentors to provide one-to-one mentoring to their selected mentee match. The focus of the project is to build connections between mentees and mentor advocates to increase protective factors for youth.
Mentors must be 21 years old or older, have a clean criminal history, be able to commit to the program for at least one year and meet other criteria.
Mentees range between the ages of 11 to 15, with the option of remaining in the program until their 18th birthday. Project activities include a combination of one-to-one mentoring, community service and recreational activities.
“We inform our parents that in no way are the mentors trying to replace their roles as parents. The mentors are simply there to offer support and guidance in a child’s life.”
Funding for New Beginnings is provided by the Office of Justice Programs. Both potential mentors and mentees can apply to participate in the program.
For more information and to complete an application, call Face to Face Enrichment Center at 225-644-9992.
Post a Comment