In an effort to help more kids and teens achieve, the Staunton-Augusta Family YMCA will offer the new group model of the Reach & Rise™ Mentoring Program.
The national YMCA program, supported by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), connects adult co-mentors with groups of youth ages 8 to 15 for periods of 8-16 weeks.
As part of the Y’s commitment to nurturing the potential of youth, the Staunton-Augusta Family YMCA’s Reach & Rise Mentoring Program will engage at-risk youth who lack role models and are in communities challenged by poverty, crime, truancy and single-parent households, among other social issues. Through this program, the Y will recruit and train adult volunteer mentors to co-lead group mentoring services and create safe, healthy and meaningful relationships with youth.
Mentors and mentees will participate in service projects, field trips and other engaging activities.
“The Staunton-Augusta Family YMCA is excited to begin offering the Reach & Rise Mentoring Program, which will benefit many of our youth, inspiring them to reach their full potential,” said Josh Cole, Executive Director, Staunton-Augusta Family YMCA. “Through this program, more youth will develop relationships with caring mentors leading to a greater connectedness to the community, higher achievement in school and a brighter future. It is with the support of the Houff Family Foundation, the Dominion Foundation, CAPSAW (the Community Action Partnership of Staunton, Augusta and Waynesboro), the Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge and the United Way of Greater Augusta, as well as collaborative efforts with the Staunton City Schools, the Staunton Rotary Club and the Staunton Mentoring Alliance that we were able to bring this program to our community.”
The Reach & Rise Mentoring Program was founded in 1992 and led by the YMCA of San Francisco. As part of national expansion, the Staunton-Augusta Family YMCA is one of 38 Ys now offering the group program, in addition to the 38 Ys offering one-to-one mentorship programs.
To learn more, contact Staunton-Augusta Family YMCA at 540-885-8089 or visit saymca.org.
They are currently recruiting a Reach & Rise Coordinator to oversee this program. Interested applicants should apply by Sept. 22.
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