City of Oakland California

I've specifically asked those over 18 to consider volunteering in our schools, after school or in programs that serve students and young Oakland residents up to age 22.  I have set the goal of recruiting volunteers to build a mentoring program in support of the 2000 most at risk youth in our city:

• The 300 Foster Children who age out of the program each year. They lose support unless they remain in school or participate in a job training program. Many find themselves homeless at age 18.

• The 500 students who come back to Oakland on probation. Past experience with programs through Safe Passages has shown that even on a 1:8 ratio, matching these youth with an adult mentor can reduce recidivism by 50%.

• The 1200 students who have missed so much school that they are at high risk of falling behind their grade level and of dropping out of school.

If Oakland can wrap its arms around these 2000 youth each year, we can increase the school graduation rate and reduce crime in our City.

To volunteer in the schools, sign up at www.oaklandschoolvolunteers.org/yes.
To consider mentoring, sign up at www.oaklandschoolvolunteers.org/mentor.

African American Male Achievement Program
Oakland School District
Peacemakers, Inc. provides on-site mentoring/counseling to elementary, middle and high school African American male students.
Mentor Requirements:
•    School based--need to be available during school day
•    Scheduled one-on-one mentoring at the school
•    One-year commitment
www.peacemakersinc.us/index.html                          (510) 347-4620 ext. 124

BOOST!
Provides individualized tutoring, mentoring, and enrichment activities for approximately 100 children per year at Lafayette Elementary School, West Oakland. Boost! fosters healthy attitudes toward learning and strengthens students’ academic performance and self-esteem through individualized One-on-One Tutoring and Mentoring, Field Trips and Enrichment, and Family Events.
Mentor Requirements:
•     Attend a two-part orientation and clear a background check
•     Attend tutor/mentoring sessions once per week (1.5 hours) for the remainder of the school year
•     Provide a caring, trustworthy, consistent, supportive, and fun environment for the student.
www.boostoakland.org                                                    (510) 444-7285

Sustainable Urban Design Academy at Castlemont High School
One-on-one mentoring providing support, friendship and the
motivation for the student to get ahead in school and overcome personal and social barriers to success.
Mentor Requirements:
•     4-6 hours a week
•     After school and/or on weekends
•    One year commitment
Contact: timothy.bremner@ousd.k12.ca.us        (510) 501-0983

 

B2B--Beyond Emancipation
Uses a comprehensive case-management model for serving emancipated youth and connecting them to a wide array of intensive support services, both in-house and through other providers in the Bay Area. B2B program at Laney College.
Mentor Requirements:
•      Meet weekly with student for at least one hour
•     One year commitment
•     Academic tutoring and life skill coaching
www.beyondemancipation.org      (510) 667-7624

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
Volunteers advocate on behalf of the children and youth in the Alameda County Foster Care program. They  focus on the youth’s educational, mental health, medical/dental, and family/sibling visitation needs, and work to increase the likelihood that the children are placed in homes and with families in which they will thrive.

CASA volunteers get to know the child and speak to everyone involved in the child’s life including their family members, teachers, attorneys, social workers, therapists, psychiatrists, and others. To effectively
advocate, CASA volunteers research the facts of the case, create a plan for advocacy, facilitate a collaborative relationship between all parties on the case, make written recommendations to the court and monitor progress towards established goals. The information they gather and their
recommendations help the court make informed decisions.
Mentor Requirements:
•        Role modeling stability and being present to a youth
•        A diverse volunteer pool reflective of the youth we serve
•        Compassion and commitment are the essential requirements
www.casaofalamedacounty.org       (510) 618-1964

Renaissance Scholars
Supports former foster youths’ success and retention while enrolled at California State University East Bay. Tutor/mentors provide academic tutoring, encourage students when they falter and applaud their successes.
Mentor Requirements:
•        Provide a safety net for emancipated foster youth going to college
•        Provide support when the student falters and applaud every success
•        Meet with youth weekly: listen carefully and encourage academic and life success
Contact:     (510) 795-6488 ext. 178

Be a Mentor
Caring adult mentors spend one hour a week with the youth on outings such as movies, musuems, parks, sporting events, and libraries. Mentors listen to the youth’s dreams and give them assurance that their dreams can become reality.
Mentor Requirements:
•    Must be at least 21 years old
•    Complete background check, fingerprinting, and TB test.
•    Commit to meeting 1 to 2 hours a week with the mentee for 1 year
www.beamentor.org               (510) 795-6488 ext. 177
 

Youth Justice Institute
The Youth Justice Institute (YJI) works to effectively address the needs of system-involved youth ages 11-24 so they transition into healthy adults.
Mentor Requirements:
•       One year commitment
•        Twice a week
•        Also options for long distance mentoring, writing letters at least twice a month
www.yjinstitute.org/index.php         (415) 935-939

OreMi
Children of incarcerated parents between the ages of 4 and 18, who live in Alameda County need a positive, consistent, and reliable adult role model. They may also need help with homework, a chance to get out of the house, new opportunities and experiences, assistance in developing social skills, or just someone who can listen.
Mentor Requirements:
•       At least 18 years old, and willing to meet with a mentee at least four hours per month for one year.
•       Flexible, open-minded, and committed; successfully complete our     screening process, including initial Mentor Training, an in-home interview, background check, fingerprinting, and references.
•      A vehicle is not required, but it is recommended. At this time, we are only looking for MALE mentors.
www.fssba-oak.org/OreMi/OreMi.htm    (510) 834-2443 ext.3009
 

BUILD
Founded in 1999, BUILD runs the nation’s largest youth incubators with the mission to use entrepreneurship to excite and propel disengaged, low-income students through high school to college success.
Mentor Requirements:
•     Strong belief in a college education & model success for students
•     No felony criminal history
•     Able to attend the 90-minute weekly mentor sessions for the entire academic year
www.build.org          (510) 629-6939

Reality Mentor
In addition to exposure to professional workplaces, mentees are also required to participate in social environments where they must apply acquired soft skills learned through Reality Mentor’s Life Skills workshops and seminars. Mentors  hold positions of leadership in Bay Area business, government and educational institutions.
Mentor Requirements:
•    One year commitment
•    At least 8 hours of coaching per month
•    Job shadowing opportunities at your workplace
www.realitymentorinc.org       (510) 733-6441