1. *Mentoring—all about selfless caring.

2. 2 What is Reach Out?  A 501(c3) nonprofit organization  Long-Term Mentoring Program  Mentoring for College Students via Mentoring  Academic and Career Mentoring for Youth  Job Shadowing & Workplace Tours  College & Tech Training Tours  Family Mentoring

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5. 5 Our history  Started off in 1995 supported by the NSF’s University of Michigan Center for Ultrafast Optical Science (CUOS)  NSF Science & Technology Center funding ended in 2002 for CUOS  We were unable to find continued CoE or UM support for our Center  Organization continued because of U-M students’ persistence in mentoring  More than 500 mentors have helped nearly 600 individuals with academic tutoring and personal support

6. 6 College mentors are THE key for MRO and our children.

7. 7 Successes we have enjoyed  Over 500 mentors have served 600+ children in past 5 years  800 Mentors, Parents & Teachers have attended workshops  Over 30 Business and College Partners provide shadowing or tours  Founding MRO Entrepreneurs—Diverse Students!

8. 8 Organizational Structure Director and Assistant  Elementary & Secondary Coordinators  Site Coordinators  Family Leaders  Volunteer Mentors  Children

9. 9 MRO Definition MRO Mentoring is an ongoing structured relationship between trusted and trusting individuals who grow and develop in a holistic partnership that includes academic, emotional, social, spiritual and physical realms.

10. 10 Foundational MRO beliefs  Mentoring is a long-term journey requiring perseverance.  Mentors do not try to produce a “mini-me.”  Mentoring focuses on changing people from the inside, not on the outside.  Mentoring relationships have profound effects on both partners

11. 11 MRO fundamental mentoring strategy  Discovering their gifts, talents, and passions,  Dealing with their personal pain and life struggles,  Becoming effective problem-solvers; and  Determining short- and long- term goals. Both partners develop competence and character by…

12. 12 Mentoring … all about selfless caring MRO partners believe that each person is unique, worthy, precious, and has a destiny.

13. 13 MRO mission To link university students, community, and business mentors with youth to provide educational and career exploration opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.

14. 14 MRO’s non-profit goals Provide a model mentoring program and career resource clearinghouse for Michigan; Provide academic support for children and tackle the growing achievement gaps; Provide career exploration opportunities for children with emphasis on SMETH careers; Provide children, parents, guardians, and K-12 staff information about post-high school job training and higher educational opportunities.

15. 15 Personal development via discovering beliefs & values MRO mentoring invites everyone to reflect, name and claim personal beliefs and values. Beliefs are our unique and personal convictions. “Truths” we hold dear. Values are individual social principles and standards. Values are like a lens or filter through which we can examine our lives.

16. 16 MRO roles & responsibilities Everyone has R & R’s in Reach Out! Children/Youth Parents & Guardians Teachers, Administrators, Counselors Mentors Family Leaders Site Coordinators Business & Higher Ed “WOW” Partners

17. 17 Circle of phases in authentic mentoring relationships Getting Acquainted Building Trust & Rebuilding Trust Establishing Roles & Rhythm Determining & Setting Goals- academic, emotional, spiritual, physical Cycle of working and learning together Separation and Parting

18. 18 2007 goals for our children Mentors come alongside mentees to help them… 1.Make informed & positive choices—choosing friends, handling conflict, communicating with adults, becoming, effective problem-solvers 2.Develop awareness of self, personal gifts and talents, self-image, learning styles, multiple intelligences, interests and passions, character, beliefs, and values

19. 19 2007 goals (continued) 3.Succeed in the “School System” –– understanding course material, time-management skills, note taking and study skills, test taking strategies, completing homework, knowing and filling in basic skill holes and gaps. 4.Explore the World of Work–– post high school education and/or tech job training, career interests, job shadowing and workplace/lab tours

20. 20 Common MRO “Beliefs” We believe every person is unique, precious, worthy and has a destiny. We believe that mentoring helps us see that the key to life is giving. We believe that mentoring begins with the heart. We believe that mentoring requires time, commitment and personal sacrifice.

21. 21 Mentors promote academic success & confidence Know personal learning styles & multiple intelligences Master study, test-taking, note-taking, research & paper-writing skills Deal with holes & gaps in basic skills Communicate with & respect teachers Choose friends they look up to & value academic success Communicate with & respect parents/guardians Homework completion & learning for meaning

22. 22 Mentors help youth explore “World of Work” Surveys-reflect on interests, skills, passions and dreams Explore wide array of possible careers and fields Create “game plan” to reach career goals Tour & class/lab shadow post-high school or tech training programs Research tech training, apprenticeship, community college, college, & military options Job shadow, workplace tours, “network”

23. 23 Key—learning about learning! What we learn When we learn Why we learn Levels of learning How we learn different things Accommodations or strategies to help us learn We believe our future relies on a culture of ongoing learning

24. 24 MRO training & workshops—essential to our learning Orientation Learning Styles Multiple Intelligences Boundaries Understanding Feelings & Emotions Intentional Dialogue Active Listening Power of “ What I Say ” Problem-Solving Skills & Strategies Talents, Passions & Skills Life and Leadership Skills & Attributes

25. 25 Keys to youth development ( Konopka, 1973, Pittman 1991) These are critical elements that are found to be essential to the healthy development of youth and young adults. MRO strives to promote these “keys” everyday!

26. 26 Key 1: Security We all need to feel physically and emotionally safe. Youth learn better and participate more fully with us when they feel safe. There must be respect and trust established among all the youth,mentors,and family leaders involved.

27. 27 Key 2: Belonging Mentees and mentors experience belonging and ownership to MRO, their school or college, and the broader community. We all have significant roles and our “voices ” and ideas are heard. Mentees need to be part of the decision-making teams to choose field trips,family outings,and community service projects.

28. 28 Key 3: Acceptance We all strive to develop self-worth. We must be “safe” and free to contribute. Everyone’s contributions are accepted, acknowledged,and appreciated by one another and their peers.

29. 29 Key 4: Independence We are ever discovering “self”–– our talents,skills,dreams,hopes. Mentors encourage youth to try new things and to learn about themselves. Both mentors and mentees are experiencing independence and taking control of their own lives. They realize they can choose things and people to get involved with.

30. 30 Key 5: Relationships Mentors and mentees develop quality relationships with one another and with peers. We all try to develop caring and trusting relationships.Youth and adults learn together and respect one another. Mentors and mentees heighten their relationships with themselves —“I like me and I know who I am and who I want to become.”

31. 31 Key 6: Values Youth and mentors develop or form their own personal values and beliefs. Both share and explore their own values and express their ideas,feelings,beliefs about topics that are important to them. Youth and mentors listen with respect to the values expressed by their peers, adults, and parents/guardians.

32. 32 Key 7: Achievement Youth feel the pride and accountability that comes with mastery. Youth experience success by completing activities appropriate for their stage of development and preferred learning style. Youth learn to set goals,to understand their various basic skill levels, and to ask for help, Youth communicate with teachers and counselors. Youth feel the pride of meeting goals and experiencing “academic success.”

33. 33 Key 8: Recognition We all expand our individual and shared capacities to enjoy life. We know that success is possible. We know we need others’ support!

34. 34 Why MRO is unique Reach Out meets State of Michigan standards for mentoring programs Two way growth and learning process—mentoring the mentors Long term commitment required Holistic and comprehensive service  Personal involvement with mentees  Address core educational and social issues

35. 35 Our goals Expand locally and in the State Provide more resources to current mentors, mentees and families Make UM the “MRO Center” Have a larger impact on entire public education system––– K-12 and higher education Leverage college student involvement Create compassionate and genuine leaders Eliminate achievement gaps Promote and embrace authentic diversity

36. 36 Research opportunities abound related to MRO Mentors–– leadership, life skills, commitment to service, diversity, equity. Youth served–– academics, post high school education or job training, leadership, service. Our families we serve---commitment to education, resources embraced for themselves & children, Partner schools––– staff methods and expectations, relationships with mentors, parents, community, creative and relevant learning opportunities. MRO impact to build business, higher ed and community stakeholders- in classrooms & WOW

37. 37 Michigan Reach Out Builds a “learning community” for college students on and off campus Heightens personal support for children struggling with academics and life Fosters family involvement for education and heightens their hopes for their children Develops business and community stakeholders to share World Of Work & post high school opportunities

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39. 39 Scarlett MS Math Achievement Trend

40. 40 Scarlett MS Reading Achievement Trend