Central Valley Youth for Christ Mentoring Project

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.

The Central Valley Youth for Christ (CVYFC), a faith-based organization, proposes a youth mentoring program to serve annually 100 Juvenile Hall detainees, youth on probation, and at-risk youth ages 14-18, from among the poorest neighborhoods in Stanislaus County. With project funds, the CVYFC will employ a full-time Project Facilitator and 10 part-time Site Facilitators/Mentors to provide mentoring services (non-religious in nature) at Juvenile Hall, churches, and various other sites throughout the county. Mentors and mentees will meet for one hour weekly in various configurations: 1:1, 1:3, or 1:4 for up to 46 weeks per year. Asset building will be a primary focus. Mentees will be assessed for the 40 Developmental Assets and an array of Life Skills. Based on the results of this assessment, an Individual Mentoring Plan will be developed. Project staff, mentees, parents, and teachers will meet quarterly for motivational speakers and programs featuring community partners. The contracted evaluator will develop assessments for both quantitative and qualitative measures. The program will address the needs of the residents of Stanislaus County, a population hard-hit by the current economic recession which, in turn, impacts children and youth negatively.

This award will create one full-time job and 10 part-time jobs; thus the project achieves the Recovery Act objective of promoting economic recovery by preserving or creating jobs. CA/NCF