Mentor Kenosha & Racine

This grant program is authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5) (the 'Recovery Act'). Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention made awards to support local organizations that develop, implement, or expand local mentoring programs leading to measurable, positive outcomes for at-risk youth. This program furthers the Department's mission by enhancing the capacity of local mentoring programs to develop and implement mentoring strategies to reduce juvenile delinquency and prevent violence.

Mentor Kenosha & Racine's (MKR's) project is a collaborative of non-profit and faith-based organizations, school districts, workforce development and business associations, and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. Goals are to address juvenile crime by supporting mentor programs; improve academic achievement of at-risk middle-school students; strengthen a partnership that provides mentor training, certification, and recruitment; and solidify mentor staff positions. Objectives are to decrease delinquent behaviors; increase academic achievement (especially in STEM related fields); enhance and improve the capacity and administration of area mentoring programs and recruit 500 new mentors. Major activities are mentor training, professional development, technical assistance, program certification, and mentor recruitment. Expected Long Term outcomes for student participants are decreases of 20% in gang activity and 75% in substance abuse; only 5% will offend or re-offend; 50% will pass more classes than the prior year and 75% of STEM-focused students will report increased interest in STEM-related fields. Related outcomes include creating and retaining staff positions, professional development for mentors, and social and economic capital development. Grant funds will support program implementation for three years; serving 500 at-risk middle-school students in school and community-based mentor programs. The $497,691.20, requested will leverage other funds and embed this mentoring partnership into the community fabric.

This award will retain approximately 2 jobs and will create 4 new jobs; thus the project achieves the Recovery Act objective of promoting economic recovery by preserving or creating jobs. CA/NCF