January is National Mentoring Month!
Mentoring programs play a crucial role in afterschool programs by providing students with personalized guidance, support, and encouragement. Out-of-school time settings provide the backdrop to foster positive relationships between mentors and mentees, creating a sense of trust and connection. By addressing individual needs and challenges, mentors empower students to overcome obstacles and reach their full potential. Celebrate mentoring this January and all year long! Here are some resources to get you started: Virginia MENTOR has been a catalyst for the expansion of youth mentoring across Virginia for 30 years. They foster quality mentoring relationships that empower, elevate, and encourage young people. Their vision is that every young person in Virginia who needs a mentor will have a trained mentor. Research Based-Practices in Afterschool Mentoring Programs: This report highlights seven components and six activities proven through empirical research to be effective in formal afterschool mentoring programs. The Role of Diverse Mentorship in Education Equity - Mentors are uniquely positioned to help increase diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in STEM by serving as role models for individuals who look and identify like them, encouraging a more welcoming environment for continued growth for marginalized communities. Four IEEE members describe their personal experiences and the impact that diverse role models made on their STEM careers. Creating Connections with Role Models: The Power of Collaboration: From Techbridge Girls, in collaboration with The National Girls Collaborative Project, this guide is intended to support leaders with the recruitment and preparation of role models to inspire girls in science, technology, and engineering. This is an outline of Techbridge’s “recipe for success” for role models while encouraging you to make changes that best fit your needs.
| | Mizzen Education - A New Look in 2024! | | | With their new brand identity, Mizzen Education is geared up to offer you more -- more community-building events, more capacity-building experiences, and more leading-edge lessons on everything from art, journalism, rocketry, robotics, and bees, to STEM, youth entrepreneurship, and language literacy.
Check out their new brand, here. | | | | | Local Afterschool Champions in the News!
VPOST wants to recognize the staff at Patrick Henry Elementary School (Instructional Coordinator Ashley Taylor, Music Teacher Erica Becker, STEM Teacher Elizabeth Lynch, and Fourth Grade Teacher Elizabeth Fulcher) for presenting the benefits of afterschool programs to the Martinsville School Board. The staff emphasized the role that programs play in developing social-emotional skills, as well as academic skills to support school-day learning.
Read the full article here. | | | Up to $100,00 in Afterschool Grant Funding!
The New York Life Foundation is seeking applications from afterschool, summer, or expanded learning programs serving underserved middle-school youth. In total, $1.8 million in grants will be awarded to programs all across the country.
Grant categories: $100,000 Level Ten (10) grants of $50,000 per year over two years (for a total award of $100,000) will go to OST programs with annual program budgets of $250,000 or more and annual organizational budgets of $500,000 or more.
$50,000 Level Ten (10) grants of $25,000 per year over two years (for a total award of $50,000) will go to OST programs with annual organizational budgets of $250,000 or more.
Applications are due February 1, 2024, at 5 p.m. ET. Learn more about the grant application, view the RFP, and submit your application. | | | 2024 Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation Youth Grants
Just over two weeks remain to apply for YSA's 2024 Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation Youth Grants! Youth, aged 5 to 25, may apply for grants of either $250 or $500 to lead awareness, direct service, advocacy, and philanthropic projects that focus on ending childhood hunger in their communities.
YSA hosted an application walkthrough and planning webinar; you can watch it here. Learn more and apply here | | | | Join kid-grit for a free virtual workshop series on different topics surrounding SEL, educator wellness, and professional development! Each month, kid-grit will feature a new ambassador to present a unique topic for leaders, educators & frontline staff! Register and learn more here. | | | Find Your All at NAA24 Convention from March 17-20, 2024 at the Hyatt Regency in Dallas, Texas! Find your people in a place where being authentic, brave, and curious is encouraged and supported. NAA sees you, so come... Be You, Be Here and Belong! Registration is officially open and you can register here. | |
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