GOAL: Youth have access to mentors, role models, and enrichments outside of the school day in a safe environment which enhances: personal growth, character development and academic achievement.
SUCCESS STORY
Aiden had been a member of a local after-school youth program for several years and was always quiet. He had a hard time interacting with other students and never really said much. But something changed when he became a sophomore in high school. Now he is drastically different in a positive way! He started mentoring younger students; and openly engages with staff, other members and volunteers in insightful conversations. Aiden really came out of his cocoon! It’s hard to say what precipitated this change but having a positive place to go after school, and having access to good role models certainly played a role.
LOCAL RESULTS
- 1,057 middle school students attended Summer Fun Fair in 2019 and learned about summer programming available.
- 250 children were matched with 78 Learning for Life Reading Mentors in 2019.
- 268 children received free books during the 2019 Great Book Giveaway.
Source: Youth Success Coalition, Women United, United Way of South Wood & Adams Counties
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
- Young adults who face an opportunity gap - but have a mentor - are 81% more likely to participate in sports or extracurricular activities.
- In south Wood County, 1 out of 6 children are not reading at the proficient level in fourth grade.
- Children learn an average of 4,000 to 12,000 new words a year from reading books.
Source: The Mentoring Effect 2014, Women United, Scholastic
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