National Cares Mentoring Movement Inc

The Rising: Elevating Education, Expectations and Self-EsteemIN VIRTUAL AND PLACE-BASED SETTINGS, YOUNG PEOPLE ARE LED THROUGH AN INTERACTIVE CURRICULUM BY FACILITATORS WHO ARE PSYCHOLOGISTS, SOCIAL WORKERS and Wellness Professionals. COMMUNITY MENTORS PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORTS. THE STUDENTS LEARN TO UNEARTH THEIR INNATE POWER TO MAKE POSITIVE LIFE-PROPELLING CHOICES. THE INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES BUILD SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SKILLS, SELF-CONFIDENCE, CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS AND SELF-EFFICACY. OUR MODEL BLENDS A CULTURALLY SPECIFIC APPROACH TO SELF-EFFICACY WITH TRAUMA-INFORMED HEALING PRACTICES THAT MEET YOUNG PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE WITHOUT JUDGMENT. IN WELLNESS MENTORING CIRCLES (WMC), CARES FACILITATORS LEAD STUDENTS THROUGH A CURRICULUM DESIGNED TO HELP MIDDLE- AND HIGH-SCHOOLERS IDENTIFY THEIR STRESSORS AND UNPACK THE HARMS THAT THEIR COMMUNITIES AND THAT THEY HAVE PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED DUE TO INEQUITIES. THE STUDENTS LEARN COPING STRATEGIES, SELF-REGULATION, HOW TO SOOTHE ANXIETY AND UNEARTH SELF-AWARENESS AND CRITICAL THINKING. OUR CURRICULUM IS COMPRISED OF TEN PILLARS THAT INCLUDE HERITAGE, WELLNESS AND PROSPERITY. WMCS ARE COMPASSIONATE SPACES, THEY ARE SAFE AND INTIMATE GROUPS WHERE MUTUAL TRUST AND COMMUNITY ARE ESTABLISHED. OUR PROGRAM BRINGS A CULTURALLY RICH CURRICULUM AND HEALING PROFESSIONALS INTO THE LIVES OF CHILDREN, WHO DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THEM IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, AND MENTORS WHO PROVIDE SUPPORT, GUIDANCE AND LOVE.THE RISING PROGRAM (OJJDP) OPERATES IN-PERSON AT SITES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. WELLNESS CIRCLES HAS SERVED OVER 1086 (OJJDP) AND 500 (NON-OJJDP) CHILDREN, RECRUITED APPROX. 219 NEW MENTORS ACROSS SEATTLE, NEW YORK (BROOKLYN), DETROIT, SOUTH FLORIDA, LOS ANGELES, CHICAGO AND NEW ORLEANS (NON-OJJDP). FACILITATORS AND PARENTS REPORTED TO NATIONAL CARES THE IMMEDIATE CHANGE IN CHILDREN'S PSYCHOLOGICAL ATTITUDES. EAGER TO JOIN WELLNESS MENTORING CIRCLES, STUDENTS WERE ABLE TO CONNECT WITH ANOTHER AND OVERRIDE THEIR FEELINGS OF ISOLATION. NCMM WAS ABLE TO EXPAND PROGRAMMING IN ADDITIONAL SITES BY CULTIVATING OLD AND SECURING NEW PARTNERSHIPS WITHIN THE COMMUNITIES OF SERVICE FOR THE RISING PROGRAM.THE RISING PROGRAM IS PROJECTED TO SERVE AND MENTOR MORE YOUTH, RECRUIT AND TRAIN MORE ADULT AND YOUNG ADULT MENTORS, AND EXPAND OUR FAMILY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS ACROSS ALL PROGRAMMING MARKETS.

University for Parents:The University for Parents (U4P) is dedicated to empowering parents through training, wellness, and support, equipping them to overcome both systemic and self-imposed barriers to achieve self-sufficiency and sustainability. This curricula-based initiative emphasizes career readiness and healing, providing a safe space for parent-learners to process trauma, rekindle hope, and acquire essential coping and job-readiness skills that prepare them for fulfilling, livable-wage careers. U4P collaborates with community and corporate partners to offer wraparound services and a wide range of enrichment classes career readiness, financial literacy, parenting, entrepreneurship, anger management/conflict resolution, and civic engagement. These services enable parent-learners to enhance their career prospects and actively contribute to community transformation. In 2023, the virtual program saw over 700 parents enroll, expanding U4Ps reach and impact. U4P remains committed to building strong, self-sufficient families and communities through holistic support and practical skill-building.