Boys & Girls Clubs National Mentoring Programs

The Mentoring Opportunities for Youth Initiative, Category 1 (National Mentoring Program) provides funding to support national mentoring organizations in their efforts to strengthen and/or expand their existing mentoring activities within local chapters or sub-awardees (in at least 45 states) to reduce juvenile delinquency, drug abuse, truancy, and other problem and high-risk behaviors. FY 2015 funding will address the factors that can lead to or serve as a catalyst for delinquency or other problem behaviors in underserved youth, including youth in high-risk environments. Programs are required to target American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth, and are also highly encouraged to target their mentoring services to children of parents on active military duty; children of incarcerated parents; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth; youth with disabilities; and youth in rural communities. This program is authorized by the FY15(OJJDP Ment. Oppor Yth) Pub. L. No. 113-235; 128 Stat. 2130, 2195.

Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) will provide mentoring to youth ages 6-17 nationwide through its Boys & Girls Clubs Mentoring program. The proposed project will promote positive outcomes and reduce risk factors for four target groups: youth at risk (at-risk and high-risk youth, including youth with incarcerated parents); American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth (both on and off the reservation); military-connected youth; and youth at high risk for involvement in gangs or delinquency. The risks include poverty, low-performing schools, community violence, gang activity, and incarcerated parents. These risks disproportionately impact racial/ethnic minority youth. Project objectives include providing youth with a mentor and engaging them in evidence based prevention programs. Services to AI/AN youth will utilize culturally appropriate programming and foster intergenerational support. The outcomes will include improving social competence; increasing school attendance and improved GPA; developing positive family relationships; decreasing anti-social behavior and substance abuse; and increasing resistance to involvement in gangs and delinquency. The BGCA mentoring program will provide a combination of one-on-one, group, and peer mentoring services. The site-based mentoring will be provided by Club staff, volunteers, and peers, with ongoing efforts to recruit minority male mentors. BGCA will sub-award 91% of awarded funds to affiliated Boys & Girls Clubs located in all 50 states.
CA/NCF