Children of Promise, NYC Project Directing Realities through Exposure Access and Mentoring (DREAM)

This solicitation invites eligible applicants to propose research and evidence-based enhancements to mentoring programs based on three strategies: (1) involving the parents and family in activities and services, (2) delivering structured activities and programs for the mentoring matches, and (3) developing training and support for mentors. Research studies and evaluations of best practices have indicated that mentoring programs that provide multiple modes of treatment addressing both individual and environmental characteristics tend to be the most effective. This initiative is authorized by the Department of Justice Appropriations Act, 2009, Pub. L. No. 111-8.

Children of Promise of New York City (CPNYC) will enhance their current mentoring program in this initiative's Focus Area 1 - involving the parents and families of mentoring participants in mentoring activities and providing or coordinating services for them. 'Children of Promise' is New York City's existing mentor program. 'Directing Realities Through Exposure, Access and Mentoring' (DREAM) currently maintains 110 children of imprisoned parents, ages 6 to 18, in one-to-one mentor matches as part of a larger effort to break the cycle of intergenerational incarceration. During the life of the grant, CPNYC proposes to expand the DREAM mentoring program to include 150 additional participants of the target population. DREAM is a career-based program which identifies the profession, career or industry of interest to the student and connects each with an adult who can provide insight, knowledge and experience in pursing the chosen profession providing a real and tangible understanding of future opportunities. CPNYC will enhance DREAM mentoring programs' abilities by improving the services for and involvement of the mentoring participants' parents/caregivers and their families. This includes expanding structured activities and opportunities for the mentoring pair; and increasing the availability of mentor training and support. To ensure the quality and effectiveness of DREAM, a plan has been developed which incorporates a multi-level method of evaluation that measures the program's progress and creates a process to reflect on and disseminate findings to community stakeholders. CPNYC will utilize the 'What's Working-Tools for Evaluation Your Mentoring Program' evaluation tool kit designed to assist mentoring programs obtain a better understanding of the benefits derived from the services provided. It includes surveys, focus group questionnaires and interview questions, all of which are intended to gather information from mentees, mentors and others (such as caregivers and teachers) who are involved with, or in some way, familiar with the young person. CA/NCF