"Brothas" needed for NEW African-American boys program at West Minnehaha Rec

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We’re looking for a few "Brothas" to help change
the path of African-American boys in St. Paul

What’s the need?
Volunteer Leadership Support Members

If you live and breathe physical activity, food, sports, fitness, African-American culture, community, and giving back to others, then being a part of the NEW Brotha-to-Brotha Youth Mentoring program leadership group is for you!

What is Brotha-to-Brotha?

Brotha-to-Brotha is a NEW group mentoring pilot program for African-American boys, ages 11-15, being offered this Fall through a collaborative partnership between Bolder Options Youth Mentoring, The JK Movement, and The University of St. Thomas’s Office of Social Innovation. It will take place at Ramsey Middle School and West Minnehaha Recreation Center sites, after-school, in group settings called "TEAMS". Each team will have (4) adults making up the Team Leadership Mentoring group and (16) boys. Top leadership of each team is shared by (1) Head Coach and (1) Assistant Coach. These positions are supported by (2) Volunteer Leadership Support members. All adult leaders and their group of boys are considered "Brothas" once their team is formed. From Mid-October through Mid-May, there will be (4) phases of the program, each about (2) months in duration. Teams will meet after school, once a week for (2) hour sessions, approximate time is 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM, delivering a rotating curriculum of physical health, culturally-specific wellbeing, enrichment, and community e. Both teams will come together on (2) Saturdays a month, to experience field trips, do group projects, volunteer in the community or just have some awesome fun playing sports, competing in games, eating great food, or other fun-filled activities. There is no programming scheduled during major holidays but a really cool activity or two may be scheduled over school breaks. An optional 8-week Summer program filled with outdoor adventures and "STEAM" related activities is also part of the experience for the boys.

What’s the Purpose of the Brotha-to-Brotha Leadership Group?
Reminding our boys that they are "Children of the dream".

The main purpose of the program is to support an underserved boy’s progression toward manhood when a positive, male role model is absent or plays and inconsistent part in his life. The program helps him find, or create, solutions that allow him to overcome barriers and disparities in his life. A secondary, but very important goal is to develop positive, culturally-relevant, healthy, male-to-male relationships that reflect life’s possibilities. The Brotha-to-Brotha Youth Mentoring Collaborative is based on the simple philosophy that boys need good, reliable Black male role models mirroring life lessons and providing them with plenty of positive guidance and support as they learn how to become great, Black men. We instill that as African-Americans, we are descendants of "Royalty" by way of the Kings and Queens of our African roots. These boys will be reminded that they are children of the dream, benefitting from the trails blazed by those who came before us and persevered. Royalty in the sense that they should hold themselves to a standard that motivates them to see themselves as valued, honorable, and worthy of respect. The idea is simple, yet profound. It just involves a few good men consistently showing up every week in these boy’s lives, assuring them that other men who consider them family, think they are "awesome" and care about them. Living examples of what it means to be good men and trusted "Brothas". In the Brotha-to-Brotha program we are ALL brothers. We are a family, even if not by blood. We are each other’s keeper and pledge to bring out the best in each other and our community. We are Brothas for life!

What’s the role of a Volunteer Leadership Support Member?

Leadership Role

• You support the Head and Assistant Coaches in the delivery of mentoring sessions
  for a group of (16), African-American boys, age 11-15.
• Participate in weekly mentoring sessions
• Mirror life’s possibilities and serve as a positive role model and friend
• Build the relationships by facilitating or participating in activities together
• Strive for mutual respect
• Contribute your knowledge and positive implementation of African-American heritage
  & culture with your team
• Build self-esteem and provide motivation
• Help set goals and work toward accomplishing them
• Be there. Be present. Be the difference!

Time Commitment

• Make a school-year commitment, est. 2:30PM - 4:30PM (Mid-October - Mid-May)
• Summer program leadership is optional, but highly encouraged
• Commit to providing leadership support at least (2) sessions per month and (1) Saturday per month. Prefer availability for all (4) weekly sessions and (2) Saturdays
• Attend an initial full-day training or leadership meetings as required
• Attend mentor/mentee group events, mentor support groups, and program recognition events

Participation Requirements

• Be at least 18 years old
• Reside in St. Paul metro area
• Be passionate about impacting the lives of young, African-American boys
• Be willing to adhere to all program policies and procedures
• Be willing to complete the application and screening process
• Be dependable and consistent in meeting the time commitments
• Attend mentor training sessions as prescribed
• Be willing to communicate regularly with program staff, submit activity information, and take constructive feedback regarding mentoring activities
• Have access to consistent and dependable transportation
• Have a clean criminal history (subject to evaluation)
• No use of illicit drugs
• No use of alcohol or controlled substances in an inappropriate manner
• Not currently in treatment for substance abuse and have a non-addictive period of at least 5 yrs.
• Not currently in treatment for a mental disorder or hospitalized for such in the past 3 yrs.

Benefits

• Personal fulfillment through contribution to the community and individuals
• Satisfaction in helping young lives mature, progress, and achieve goals
• Training sessions, group activities, and field trips
• Participation in a Team Leadership Mentoring support group
• Personal ongoing support, supervision to help the team succeed
• Team activities, complimentary tickets to community events, participant recognition
• Tons of fun and great opportunities to learn, discover, and explore new things

Think You’ve got what it takes?
Then apply to be a Volunteer Leadership Support Member

All applicants must go through our screening and adhere to each step of the selection process listed below:

• Mentor Application Form (online)
• Initial phone interview by Program Directors
• Criminal Background Check
• Provide (3) personal references
• In-person interview
• (8) month mentoring commitment with optional (2) month Summer tour
• Full-day mentor training orientation