Mentor a Milwaukee Teen

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Help a Milwaukee teen get on the right path. Serve as a mentor for a student at risk of not graduating high school through the Challenge Academy.

What is the Challenge Academy?

The Challenge Academy is a 17-month program for youth ages 16 years and 9 months through 18 who are at-risk of not graduating from High School. The first 22 weeks of the program (Residential Phase) is spent at Ft. McCoy in a structured, quasi-military environment. Cadets are provided the "opportunity to develop the strength of character and the life-skills necessary to become successful, responsible citizens". This is accomplished through a variety of daily activities to include classroom instruction preparing for HSED testing, Character Development classes, service to community, and leadership opportunities.

Following graduation, in the Post-Residential Phase, graduates of the program with the help of their mentor continue to sustain and build on the progress made during the Residential Phase. Cadets are assisted by their mentors to make the transition from the structured environment of the Challenge Academy into a self-governed environment back in their home community.

What is a Mentor?

A mentor for the Challenge Academy is an adult who, along with parents, provides support, encouragement, counsel, friendship, reinforcement, and constructive example to the youth that they are commited to see grow.

Who can be a Mentor?

• Mentors must be at least 23 years of age, the same gender as the youth, and not living in the same household.
• Immediate family members may not be a mentor. It is not necessary for the Applicant to personally know the mentor.
• Mentors come from many sources within the community where the youth lives and have wide and varied backgrounds.
• Past Mentors have included teachers, counselors, factory workers, ministers, police officers, judges, retired men and women, social workers, little league coaches, neighbors, and the list goes on and on.

Ream more here: http://www.challengeacademy.org/resources/resources-for-mentors/