| Mentor Program |
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| OYCP Mentor Program |
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The Oregon National Guard Youth Challenge Program (OYCP) is a mentor-active, cost free, drug free, coed, residential/post-residential program conducted at the Central Oregon Training and education Facility (COTEF) in Bend, Oregon. It is an "at-risk" youth program which targets unemployed and underemployed male and female teens ages 16 to 18 who have dropped out or are struggling with school. The program´s mission is to provide work skills and alternative learning opportunities to meet the unique individual needs of students in order to increase positive behavioral and academic skills.
What is an OYCP Mentor?
The Post-Residential phase, also known as the Mentor Phase, begins during the residential phase and continues for one year after the Corpsmember successfully completes the residential phase. Mentors are people ages 21 and over who volunteer at least one hour a week to a Corpsmember that has successfully completed the 20-week Residential Phase. Before an applicant can be enrolled, he or she must provide two mentor referrals to the program. The mission of an OYCP Mentor is to identify the goals that the graduate has set during the Residential Phase and then to successfully assist that graduate in integrating those goals into real achievements. The goal of mentoring is to help young people gain the skills and confidence to be responsible for their future in academic and occupational endeavors. The mentor relationship begins in the 13th week of the Residential Phase. At that time there is a Mentor / Corpsmember Matching Ceremony. From week 13 until the end of the 20-week Residential Phase, the mentor and the Corpsmember correspond by way of letter writing. The mentorship phase involves weekly meetings between a Youth Challenge graduate and a responsible adult volunteer mentor from their home community. Each mentor is screened and trained prior to meeting with the Corpsmember. The mentor becomes a friend and advisor for the young person. In short, the mentor is there to help the Youth Challenge Corpsmember to become a responsible, contributing member of society.
Two completed Mentor Applications must accompany the completed Enrollment Application. Please forward these Mentor Applications to the individuals that are willing to commit to your applicant as a mentor. [The Enrollment Application will not be processed without these two Mentor Applications completed and returned to OYCP]. Immediate family members cannot be mentors. Mentors must be same gender as the applicant.
According to juvenile justice experts, mentoring is one of the most important aspects of juvenile crime prevention. The key to success is follow-up and accountability. OYCP is always recruiting new mentors for its graduating cadets.
If you or someone you know would like to become an OYCP Mentor,
please email or call:
Joel Garibay at 541-317-9623 ext. 225, Joel.Garibay@mil.state.or.us
If you would like to download a Mentor Application
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