volunteers needed, Northwest University Scholars

Posted by on April 13, 2009

Northwest University Scholars

Students will be introduced to the important academic, social and interpersonal skills that they need to make the transition from middle to high school, with an eye on college and the road to success.

Who? The Northwest University Scholars Project will be offered to residents of Northwest Philadelphia who are incoming, first-time 7th, 8th and 9th graders for the 2008-09 school year in the project’s four participating schools: West Oak Lane Charter School, Kinsey Elementary School, Pastorius Elementary School, and Martin Luther King High School. The program will serve a total of 250 youth.

What? The Northwest University Scholars Project is a 36-month initiative spanning three school years, designed to provide school-based mentoring/coaching, afterschool programming, and additional out-of-school opportunities to young people. The project will serve a group of more than 200 youth in Northwest Philadelphia who have the potential to succeed in school but need extra personalized attention and direction to flourish.

Program Objectives:
1.    Social mentoring with adult role models for youth preparing for high school, many of whom face significant challenges every day without the personal guidance and encouragement of a positive adult
2.    Supportive out-of-school time academic and special programming that addresses individual students’ personal, academic, and career goals

When? Program services will be delivered during the weekday afternoons, some weekends and during the summer. The program started in July 2008 and will end in May 2011.

Where? Program activities will be facilitated at four local schools in Northwest Philadelphia and will target 7th, 8th and 9th graders. While most activities will take place at the schools, some social events will take place off-site

Why?  By providing effective mentoring and supplementary out-of-school programming for its students, the Northwest University Scholars Project expects to support the following outcomes:

Compared to non-participants, scholars will:
•    be less likely to engage in truant behavior
•    be more likely to avoid violence and substance abuse
•    be less involved in serious school infractions and have fewer referrals for inappropriate behavior and fewer suspensions
•    increase the number of class assignments they turn in
•    increase their expectations for starting and completing college
•    feel more competent academically

Foundations, Inc. is committed to improving educational outcomes for youth in Northwest Philadelphia, with a special focus on critical academic transitions facing youth during their school years. The Northwest University Scholars Project supports preparation of youth for success in high school, working closely with 7th, 8th and 9thgrade students during out-of-school time providing life coaching, mentoring, and afterschool programming.

The Northwest University Scholars Project is a student-focused program that uses one-to-one and/or a group mentoring approach to match children with caring adults.  In some instances we will also match youth in a peer-to-peer mentoring relationship program with high school students mentoring middle and elementary students.  Youth enrolled in the Northwest University Scholars Project will be middle school and high school students ranging from 7th to 9th grades.  The Northwest University Scholars Project aims to engage youth in academic and social activities that help them to develop resiliency and other life skills that will assist with achieving academic success. Adult mentors, who will serve as coaches, will be paired with youth to aid the scholars with making better choices, helping them to navigate around community challenges, and to encourage the scholars to take advantage of opportunities that can enhance their future outlook and strengthen or develop personal goals.

Learn how you can become a mentor.
For more information, please contact
Judith Dumorney-McDaniel, Foundations, Inc.
214-424-5810 or 888-977-KIDS (5437)