This is a tutoring program for children and adolescents from 8 to 17 years of age at risk of dropping out of school or of academic failure due to personal, family and/or community problems. The objective is to reduce risk factors affecting the beneficiaries, improve social and emotional and vocational skills, strengthen community ties, and provide opportunities for growth even in vulnerable situations.
The program seeks to create direct, long-term relationships between adults and youth who lack positive adult references, and to provide new opportunities for growth through improved school performance, health and wellness practices, and self-sufficiency skills.
Participants are referred to the program by teachers, social workers, police officers, the guardianship council, juvenile courts, or mental health services. Mentoring takes place once a week for at least one year and includes group meetings with other youth and their mentors three times a month.