Mentoring Opportunities for Youth Initiatives

The Mentoring Opportunities for Youth Initiative, Category 4 (Project Sites and Mentoring Strategies for Youth Impacted by Opioids and Drug Addiction) supports youth mentoring organizations that have a demonstrated partnership with a public or private substance abuse treatment agency. The focus of this category is to provide mentoring services as a part of a prevention, treatment and supportive approach for those youth impacted by opioids and drug addiction. This program is authorized and funded pursuant to Pub. L. No. 116-93, 133 Stat. 2317, 2410.

Prevention is Key, Inc. (PIK) recognizes that it is critical to address the devastating and destructive impact of opioid use on those who have already become addicted, youth at risk of using opioids, and the entire family structure. PIK recognizes that youth who have become addicted to opioids require support in addition to treatment, including a positive mentoring program. PIK will provide a quality mentoring program for 100 youth ages 11–17 in Morris County and Passaic County (Ringwood, Wanaque, and West Milford) who are currently abusing or have abused opioids, youth who are at high risk for using opioids, and youth with family members who are currently abusing or have abused opioids. The 3-year program will aim to provide social and emotional support, increase understanding of systems navigation, develop networks and informal supports, and increase resilience. As a part of the Youth Mentoring Support Project, youth will attend weekly 1-hour group mentoring sessions that will help to promote hope and an informal support network for youth in the program. CA/NCF