Mentor training and community wrap-around support for youth-serving organizations

It was this program that helped me to make it through all that was going on with me and my family during the pandemic. The pandemic was tough for all of us and I'm thankful that I had this village for support.

After about a month of working with the students, some of them began coming to small groups that were our suggestions of skills they wanted to learn. They also shared their own ideas on different activities that they would like to try. One of the skills group students explored has been ‘being an employee’ through discussions and role play. Their ability to pay attention better in class has improved their grades for this quarter.

One student I work with was recently shot and has since then fallen into the wrong crowd. The student became increasingly interested in school and was attending classes or completing assignments like they had in the past. Over time, while working with this student, they have not only opened up, but they have become more interested in school than they ever have been. Also, we’ve been noticing greatly that her short work, completing, and coming to assignments, have been cut down to great progress. I am noticing that she is calm and that there is more effort shown.

The mentors (external) participating in the program have made a positive impact by helping students develop better problem solving and increasing problem-solving abilities and confidence. We have also observed a decrease in class removals and increase in instruction time with students.

We have been able to make a positive impact on students over the past couple of years. Unfortunately, Montbello School of Englewood has never had an after-school program before. SELvie has increased student engagement and connection to mentors.