Mentoring in Parks and Rec: Multistate Program

The National Recreation and Parks Association aims to scale their Mentoring in Parks and Rec Initiative to provide group mentoring services to at-risk youth through out-of-school time programming at local park and recreation agencies. Through this new project, the National Recreation and Parks Association will engage up to 20 local agencies across 10 states to develop and/or expand evidence-based youth mentoring programs. The local mentoring programs will integrate mentoring into afterschool and summer programs, youth sports, STEM, workforce development, arts/music, and other out-of-school time offerings. Local partners will engage mentors, including agency professionals, youth sports coaches, teachers, caregivers, and other adults in the community. The National Recreation and Parks Association will prioritize communities that have been historically underserved, marginalized, adversely affected by inequity, and disproportionately impacted by crime, violence, and victimization. Through the proposed strategies, the National Recreation and Parks Association will increase equitable access to the lifechanging benefits of mentorship for at-risk youth, while enhancing access to essential out-of-school time services and positive childhood experiences that promote equity, build resilience, and support well-being. The National Recreation and Parks Association will also prioritize engaging the following youth populations: 1) youth in military families on/near military bases, 2) youth in rural communities and small cities (~50,000 population); and 3) youth in mid/large cities and suburban areas (~50,000). The National Recreation and Parks Association will provide robust training and grants management support to all agencies to recruit and retain mentees and mentors in the target populations and implement impactful and sustainable community-based mentoring programs.