http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php en mentor@grizzlies.com Copyright 2010 2010-07-23T16:38:32+00:00 http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/hiring-for-memphis-prep-program-mentor-coordinator-position http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/hiring-for-memphis-prep-program-mentor-coordinator-position#When:16:38:32Z Overview: Memphis Prep Program Memphis PREP Program (MPP) gives promising Memphis City Schools students a means to meet their potential.  Since 1969, MPP has been extending access to high-quality summer academic enrichment programs to rising juniors and seniors, helping bridge the opportunity gap for MCS students.  Memphis PREP Program has grown from serving one high school in 1969 to serving 115 students from 27 Memphis City high schools attending 35 summer programs in the summer of 2010.  After students return from their summer programs, MPP provides ACT and professional skills workshops, and a College Counselor to help students and parents through the college admission and financial aid process. In 2007, the program became an independent 501(c)(3) organization.  For forty years , MPP has found that participation in these summer programs has a direct affect on future goals, ambition, opportunities, and college matriculation of Memphis’ most promising students. Mentor Program Coordinator Position description: The MPP Mentoring Program Coordinator is responsible for developing and managing the mentoring program and volunteer mentors for the Memphis PREP Program. The Coordinator will provide training and ongoing support to volunteer mentors, as well as appropriate matching with students.  The Coordinator will also be responsible for mentor recruitment, communication with mentors, youth and families and fulfill other duties as needed within the Memphis PREP Program.  This position reports to the Executive Director.  Please note: This is a part-time position, with work hours afternoons, evenings, and weekends. Primary Job Responsibilities: •Develop a volunteer mentoring program based on the “Elements of Effective Practice,” MENTOR’s national standards for responsible and sustainable youth mentoring. •Develop job description for mentors, including meeting frequency and role expectations •Develop pre-match training program for mentors in conjunction with College Counselor including oInformation about the Memphis PREP Program, its missions and its work oOrientation on mentoring based on “Elements of Effective Practice” oTraining on college counseling basics and the role the mentor will play with the student •Work with other MPP staff to match mentors with students •Design and conduct orientation for students to discuss student responsibilities and expectations of mentor program. Develop and sign contracts. •Design orientation for parents of mentored students, and develop and sign parent contract. •Facilitate and participate in initial meeting of mentor and assigned student •Maintain frequent communication with every mentor. Minimum contact is once each week. •Meet regularly with College Counselor to coordinate and consult on mentoring activities.  Participate with College Counselor in monthly conference call to all mentors. •Provide ongoing support and facilitate enrichment/ training opportunities for mentors. •Plan quarterly events for mentors and students, including social, career development and academic activities •Provide regular reports to Executive Director on mentoring program and to Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation as requested. •Represent MPP in Memphis Mentoring Partnership related programs •Fulfill other duties as assigned. Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: •Enthusiasm for working with young people •Ability to work with many different individuals in a variety of settings •Excellent organizational skills and detail-oriented performance •Ability to work independently with minimal supervision •Ability to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner •Strong communication skills, including writing and public speaking •Available afternoons, nights, and weekends •Flexibility and willingness to perform other tasks as needed. Education and Experience: •College degree •Familiarity with higher education and the college application process •Skills in database management.  Learn to use MentorPRO management and assessment program or an equivalent to track mentors’ time and activities. Physical Demands: •In addition to working in a normal office environment, the mentor coordinator will be expected to travel to various meeting sites.  A driver’s license and reliable transportation is required. •Position may require occasional lifting of objects 10-25 pounds. •In compliance with applicable law, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Salary based on experience and job qualifications. To Apply: Please send a resume, thoughtful cover letter and references, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of this position. Susan Edelman, Executive Director Memphis PREP Program P.O. Box 770600 Memphis, TN 38177-0600 901.278.0808 Email: susan@memphisprepprogram.org www.memphisprepprogram.org   | July 23, 2010 MMP, 2010-07-23T16:38:32+00:00 http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/mentor-invites-you-to-join-caregivers-choice http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/mentor-invites-you-to-join-caregivers-choice#When:16:38:32Z If your program is looking for ways to expand your reach and serve more children, consider joining Mentoring Children of Prisoners-Caregiver’s Choice: • Access funding to serve more children; • Tap into federal funds; • Manage your participation level; • Leverage national efforts to recruit children of prisoners; and • Benefit from cutting-edge training and tools. Mentoring programs must apply to participate in Caregiver’s Choice. Programs that meet quality standards created by experts—in mentoring and working with families of the incarcerated—will be selected to take part. Caregivers and parents will then choose the approved mentoring program that best meets their needs and redeem their vouchers. Mentoring programs will receive $1,000 in three installments over a twelve-month period, linked to key milestones in the mentoring relationship. Program enrollment has now begun. For more information about the eligibility requirements, please contact caregiverschoice@mentoring.org. | MMP, 2010-07-23T16:38:32+00:00 http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/news-for-all-safetynet-users http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/news-for-all-safetynet-users#When:16:38:32Z Over the next 12 months, MENTOR will continue to work to pass the Child Protection Improvements Act (S. 1598/ H.R. 1469) to create a permanent background check system for youth serving organizations to check potential volunteers and employees.  This legislation would ensure that checks are done in an affordable and timely manner, and help ensure that mentors are safe and appropriate.  While MENTOR will continue to work on this from the national office, they need your help.  Please click on the link below to contact your Members and ask that they pass the Child Protection Improvements Act immediately:  http://www.capwiz.com/mentor/issues/alert/?alertid=13689551&type=CO The Child Safety Pilot, SafetyNET has now been extended through March 31, 2011, and will allow mentoring programs to screen prospective mentors only.  Background checks on employees cannot be processed through SafetyNET.  This program has been offered through MENTOR/The National Mentoring Partnership to enable mentoring programs to conduct full fingerprint background checks at a substantial saving. If you are already participating and want to check the status of the fingerprint cards that you submitted, please log into your SafetyNET account at www.mentoring.org/safetynet.  If you are interested in adopting SafetyNET for your criminal background checks, you can find more information about the program on that link as well. | MMP, 2010-07-23T16:38:32+00:00 http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/mentoring-act-to-strengthen-no-child-left-behind http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/mentoring-act-to-strengthen-no-child-left-behind#When:16:38:32Z Recently Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) introduced legislation to reform the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, currently known as the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. The Act is due for renewal and some would argue some revisions to correct problems in its original form as it was signed into law nine years ago. I’m going to re-post some of the information released by MENTOR and by Sen. Dodd’s office and follow that with a few comments. Stamfordplus.com, a web version of a news magazine for Dodd’s area, outlined the Senator’s proposed reforms as they relate to mentoring. Every Student Deserves A Mentor: The Mentoring America’s Children Act of 2010 strengthens the No Child Left Behind mentoring grant program by providing the resources necessary to sustain these programs, ensuring each program’s effectiveness, and most importantly, targeting students who are likely to benefit the most from mentoring - youth growing up in foster care or students in areas that have high rates of crime, gang violence, or drug abuse. Dodd said, “Mentoring programs that provide youth with support, advice, friendship, positive reinforcement and constructive examples have proved to be a powerful tool for enhancing positive development among youth….Thus, mentoring invests not only in the individual child, but our Nation’s future success.” But revisions to NCLB, and specifically the Mentoring America’s Children portion have been delayed for over a year after California Representative Susan Davis introduced this bill in the House in February 9, 2009. It was referred to the House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education on March 23, 2009 where it has sat since then. Sidenote: Memphis Representative Steve Cohen was among 18 cosponsors of this bill. Progress of House NCLB hearings can be followed here. In short, both the House Committee on Education and Labor and Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions have been holding hearings from many in the field of education. | July 14, 2010 Blog, 2010-07-23T16:38:32+00:00 http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/grizzlies-foundation-becomes-first-sustaining-member-of-give-365 http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/grizzlies-foundation-becomes-first-sustaining-member-of-give-365#When:16:38:32Z On June 1, the Grizzlies Foundation became the first Sustaining Member of the new GiVE 365 campaign that aims to encourage collective and informed charitable giving by the next generation of donors in the city of Memphis. The GiVE 365 campaign, which was recently launched by the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, is an effort to educate and empower the next generation of philanthropists.  Membership requires a donation of $1 a day for the entire year for an individual.  The Grizzlies Foundation donated $3650 to the effort, earning the distinction as a Sustaining Member.  “GiVE 365 seeks to build the next generation of philanthropists – whatever age they may be,” said Robert M. Fockler, President of the Community Foundation of Memphis.  “Because the Memphis Grizzlies already reach all ages and all sectors in this community, their leadership as the first Sustaining Member of GiVE 365 makes a strong statement that we all need to help to make Memphis a better place.” The June 1 launch event featured Memphis Mayor AC Wharton, numerous civic and business leaders and Grizzlies owner and Foundation board member, Elliot Perry. “The Grizzlies and the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis have a long-standing partnership, and we applaud them for engaging many more individuals and families in philanthropy,” said Jenny Koltnow, Executive Director of the Grizzlies Foundation. As a Sustaining Member of the GiVE 365 campaign, the Grizzlies Foundation is helping build awareness, leadership and responsibility in charitable giving. GiVE 365 will ultimately establish a pattern of charitable giving with a lasting and growing fund. To learn more about the GiVE 365 campaign visit http://www.cfgm.org. | July 9, 2010 Featured, 2010-07-23T16:38:32+00:00 http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/mentor-celebrates-20-years-of-leadership-in-mentoring-with-states-caucus-me http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/mentor-celebrates-20-years-of-leadership-in-mentoring-with-states-caucus-me#When:16:38:32Z Mentoring partnership leaders met for the annual MENTOR States Caucus to address important topics in mentoring and share knowledge and resources. In addition to presentations on strategies to close the national mentoring gap and updates on research and public policy issues, the agenda included the National Quality-Based Membership Project. Long-time Memphis Mentoring Partnership (MMP) members will remember that the partnership was formed with a three-tier membership structure based on the Elements of Effective Practice, and training and technical assistance provided was designed to move members toward the highest level. Those operating strong, sustainable, and effective programs received special recognition and benefits. An ongoing assessment process tracked progress toward that goal. Based on the model used by MMP and several other state and local mentoring partnerships, MENTOR/The National Mentoring Partnership has supported a year-long effort led by our colleagues in Oregon to establish a framework for all MENTOR affiliates to identify those “programs of excellence” and award a national “stamp of approval.” In addition to assisting mentoring programs to achieve a higher level of quality, the process is designed to increase the credibility of the mentoring movement and assure the funding community that dollars directed to programs will result in a positive impact on the children we serve. As we work with our colleagues across the nation to complete this project, part of our effort for 2010-2011 will be identifying and reviewing the outcomes defined in the program plans of our members. We will do this through individual conversations and group sessions on program design and evaluation methods. Right now, 18 million young people in the U.S. need mentors, but only 3 million have one. Challenges to closing the national mentoring gap affecting 15 million children include varying quality of programs and lack of a link between program practices and outcomes. To increase the impact of mentoring nationwide, we must sharpen our focus on what we want to accomplish, how we’re going to get there, and how we will evaluate our results. Watch for more information as this conversation continues. | 2010-07-23T16:38:32+00:00 http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/building-blocks-mentoring-program-opens-doors-for-children http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/building-blocks-mentoring-program-opens-doors-for-children#When:16:38:32Z “Explore Higher Grounds” focuses on making college more familiar and accessible to our students, to think about education beyond high school, and make what happens in today’s classroom more relevant and meaningful to our youth. Although every student may not want to go to a university, each child should have the chance to consider it. BBMP took boys and girls in the 4th and 5th grade to Nashville, TN, on April 23 on college tours at Tennessee State University, Fisk University, and Vanderbilt University. The young people took part in a rousing assembly with guest speakers and met students who share their dreams of higher learning. “Getting these kids out of their everyday surroundings will build confidence which will ultimately show them that this world can be a place full of dreams and capabilities,” says Stephon Smallwood, BBMP Chairman. Early Minds Prepare for College: In a related activity on April 30, UT Medical and BBMP co-sponsored a college day for 5th graders at Sheffield Elementary School. The event aimed to show our youth that getting an education is vital to their well being. Medical students from UT spoke on the importance of making good grades, having excellent conduct, and becoming leaders in their communities. “This pep session inspired our youth to be college ready and focus more on the dreams which can be reached with proper guidance and education,” said Mr. Smallwood. | 2010-07-23T16:38:32+00:00 http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/new-partnership-offers-new-opportunities-for-mentors http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/new-partnership-offers-new-opportunities-for-mentors#When:16:38:32Z The Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation and MMP have forged a new relationship with the Memphis Prep Program, and the result will be an opportunity for one-on-one mentoring for 12th graders as they apply for admission and financial aid to colleges and universities. Students in the Memphis PREP Program attend Memphis City Schools, have a minimum 3.5 GPA, and have attended summer academic enrichment programs.  Despite their high academic achievement, many of the students do not have the knowledge or support necessary to successfully complete the college application process.  Caring mentors can serve as that support system and coach students on the road toward higher education. Memphis Prep is seeking volunteers who are college graduates, and all mentors will receive training on the college admissions and financial aid process from Meggan Kiel, Program College Counselor.  The Mentor Program Coordinator will also provide ongoing support and information.  After an initial training, mentors will participate in monthly conference calls outlining that month’s processes, meet twice a month with their student, contact student by phone on off weeks, and attend Memphis PREP group events with their students—three in the fall semester and two in the spring. To learn more about this program, contact Meggan at meggan@memphisprepprogram.org or call (901) 278-0808. Manassas HS Grads in thumbnail photo: Brianna Leverett went to Northfield Mount Hermon last summer and will be attending UT-Knoxville in the fall.  Antonio Smith attended Phillips Exeter Academy last summer and will be attending Brown University in the fall. | 2010-07-23T16:38:32+00:00 http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/we-must-hang-together http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/we-must-hang-together#When:16:38:32Z “We must hang together, gentlemen…else, we shall most assuredly hang separately.” This quote, attributed to Benjamin Franklin, made me reflect a bit on the mindset of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and what questions they might have been asking themselves. This was such a radical move-to declare based on grievances not addressed by the King that the bond between subject and monarch was thus broken-that they had to be sure the reasons they had for doing this were worth the risk. As further evidence that this was a heretofore unprecedented action, a recent examination of an original draft of the Declaration showed that Thomas Jefferson had originally penned the word “subjects,” before wiping it out and writing “citizens” above it. Perhaps this meant he was still subconsciously thinking like a subject of the crown, before seeing that word and realizing the whole point of the document was to split with the British. All this is to say, failure was not an option once this Declaration was signed and sent to England. One question, among many others they no doubt posed to each other, might have been “To what end do we make this leap?” Or in other words, what do we hope to gain? This is an abrupt segue but bear with me. Colleagues of mine recently attended the National Mentoring Partnership’s (NMP) annual States Caucus in famous revolutionary war city Boston, Massachusetts appropriately enough. There they learned that currently across the United States there are over 3 million youth who have mentors. This 3 million exceeds the approximate population of the colonies in 1776 of 2.5 million. However the NMP estimates there are still 15 million youth currently who need mentors. But instead of asking “How many are being/not being served?” the question that is at the heart of mentoring is “To what end is one a mentor?” Or again, “What do we hope to gain individually and collectively as a nation by mentoring?” This nation seems to reinvent itself in so many ways every generation. While the signers of the Declaration of Independence would be interested in the interconnectedness of the nation thanks to planes, cars, email and smart phones, they might be more interested in how we are fostering the next generation to be capable of carrying on the values that have always signified us as “American.” Chances are you have values worth passing on and the Grizzlies Foundation can provide a means for doing that by showing you opportunities to get involved with youth. | July 6, 2010 Blog, 2010-07-23T16:38:32+00:00 http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/memphis-athletic-ministries-fedex-express-volunteers-benefits-for-mam-young http://teamupmemphis.org/index.php/site/memphis-athletic-ministries-fedex-express-volunteers-benefits-for-mam-young#When:16:38:32Z Valentine Day parties, cookouts, school supplies for needy children, ice cream socials, and even a Future Business Leaders Day at the FedEx Express headquarters are just some of the many services provided by an exceptional group of volunteers from the IPEG – USGTS division of FedEx Express. This group of mission-minded folks, headed up by Heather Coolican, has faithfully served the children (and staff!) of Memphis Athletic Ministries once a month for two years.  Each month volunteers host an event at one of the 11 MAM sites or just do a much needed task such as painting a room. No task is too big or small for this group!  MAM was chosen as one of FedEx’s community partners as the result of a relationship established during FedEx Cares Week Memphis in 2008 when the division volunteered at MAM. “We had such a great time at MAM on FedEx Cares Day. The whole experience was truly amazing for our employees,” said Heather Coolican, Senior Regulatory Compliance Specialist, who heads the volunteer effort. “MAM and its mission have touched more individuals than we imagined and we knew that we wanted to do more than just one day’s work.” And MAM is very thankful that they have indeed done more than one day’s work! | 2010-07-23T16:38:32+00:00