Project OneTen Calls for Mentors to Help Boys of Color Transition to High School and Beyond


 

Project OneTen Calls for Mentors to Help Boys of Color 

Transition to High School and Beyond

Program targets critical time when boys fall behind, risk eventual dropout.


Chicago, IL (April __ , 2023) – Project OneTen, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the academic foundation for boys of color, has just announced its call for mentors to apply for the 2023-2024 cohort.  Beginning in April, National Volunteer Month, Project OneTen is recruiting mentors to fulfill the organization’s mission to help boys build the foundation they need to prepare them for success in school and beyond.

“The ultimate goal of Project OneTen is to equip young men of color with the tools necessary to strengthen their academic foundations, so they are prepared for high school and empower them to become leaders in their schools and in the community,” said Dirrick Butler, Founder & Executive Director, Project OneTen. “Mentors are vital to the success of our year-long program, and the benefits of this relationship are very fulfilling for both parties.”

Project OneTen is looking for new mentors who will serve as personal champions for their mentees during their critical transition to high school. Project OneTen provides mentors with training and resources, a developmental relationship framework, and a supportive community of other mentors and students. Prospective mentors should be at least 25 years of age, able to commit to at least four hours a month with mentees and monitor their growth throughout the year, attend two training sessions, and a summer camp session on August 12-13, 2023. Application and more information are available at https://www.projectoneten.org/mentor.

According to research, Black and Latino boys consistently fall behind in academic achievement in their first year of high school, which leads to higher risk of drop out and/or delayed graduation. Project OneTen pairs boys of color with a team who provides the tailored social and academic support needed to succeed.

 A key component of Project OneTen is the Freshman Success Program, a year-long cohort-based program where each student receives a dedicated mentor, an academic coach, a supportive cohort of peers, a community of volunteers and partners from across the city all actively rooting for their success as they encounter increased levels of both academic and social rigor.

To date, the program has provided 200 students and their families with a solid transition foundation and support for success.  Most recently Project OneTen was selected as a member of the Racial Equity portfolio at NewSchools. The organization secured an unrestricted grant, totaling $150,000, which will allow Project OneTen to serve a greater number of students by preparing them for the academic and social rigor of their freshman year of high school.

About Project OneTen

Project OneTen provides essential and holistic programming to support boys of color in achieving academic success when transitioning from eighth grade to high school. Through mentorship, academic coaching, and workshops that focus on cognitive skill development, social and emotional learning, self-awareness, Project OneTen seeks to create an environment where Black and Latino/x students can learn to recognize and engage with supportive leaders and peers, identify support when they need help, and feel empowered to lead on their high school campuses and beyond. For more information visit www.projectoneten.org

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