CBM CARES?? National Mentoring Initiative

This program supports the enhancement or expansion of initiatives that will help communities develop or improve mentoring programs for at-risk or high-risk populations that are underserved due to location, shortage of mentors, special physical or mental challenges of the targeted population, or other analogous situations that the community identifies.

National Organization for Concerned Black Men (CBM) CARES® provides mentors for 500 at-risk elementary and middle school boys approximately 10 -14 years old. The proposed program sites - Columbia, SC; Philadelphia, PA; Prince George's County, MD; Richmond, VA; and Washington, DC - have conducted mentoring as part of CBM CARES® since 2010, and represent 5 of CBM's 33 chapter cities. The program will match young males with 175 adult male mentors in a one-on-one relationship, and an additional 100 men in a group mentoring setting to improve academic achievement, increase school attachment, eliminate anti-social behavior, and produce outstanding young male students and citizens. CBM CARES® activities include: one-on-one and group mentoring; structured enrichment activities; parent and youth workshops; and limited case management and referrals to needed social services. The OJJDP funding will allow CBM to continue mentoring operations at these 5 sites and increase the capacity of the program by: 1) enhancing mentor and staff training; 2) deepening parent engagement; and 3) offering structured activities for the mentor and mentee. The program relies on pre and post test surveys to measure participants reduction in anti-social behavior, and truancy and suspensions. School attendance and matriculation records are used to demonstrate increased school attachment. CBM CARES® also conducts mentoring of young males in Cape Cod, MA; Dallas, TX; Los Angeles, CA; and Oakland, CA.
CA/NCF