The Colorado Partners in Youth Mentoring (CPYM) Project

The Mentoring Opportunities for Youth Initiative, Category 5 (Statewide and Regional Mentoring Initiative for Youth Impacted by Opioids and Drug Addiction) supports a broad-based approach to building mentoring program capacity in targeted regions throughout the country to help youth impacted by opioids and drug addiction. This program is authorized and funded pursuant to Pub. L. No. 116-93, 133 Stat. 2317, 2410.

The Colorado Partners in Youth Mentoring (CPYM) project is a collaborative effort among six Partners Mentoring Association (PMA) agencies across 11 counties in Colorado and includes the following mentoring agencies: (1) Partners of Delta, Montrose, and Ouray Counties; (2) Gunnison Valley Mentors; (3) Partners Mentoring Youth; (4) Metro Denver Partners; (5) Mesa County Partners; and (6) Partners in Routt County (lead agency). The purpose of the project is to serve Colorado youth from at-risk/high-risk environments through the statewide PMA one-to-one community-based mentoring (CBM) model, with an emphasis on enhancing mentor support through increased family engagement. The project will serve 2,121 at-risk/high-risk youth who are dealing with social, emotional, and academic challenges. Additionally, 1,575 adult mentors will be recruited and trained to support the youth. Using research and evidence-based practices, mentoring services will be enhanced through increased parent and family engagement services to 1,590 families. The target population for CPYM CBM programs are boys and girls ages 6–17 who are dealing with personal, academic, and social issues. The program uses adult mentors, structured recreational activities, life skills education, and community service opportunities to help youth build protective factors and become healthy, productive adults. The objectives of the long-term mentoring relationships are to promote positive youth development, prevent alcohol and drug use, increase self-esteem, prevent juvenile delinquency, provide support for abuse/neglect victims, and enhance school bonding and academic performance. Through ongoing support and education, CPYM agencies are attempting to change attitudes, which is the first step in changing behavior, primarily as it relates to substance abuse, delinquency, and violence. CA/NCF