Minnesota is in the middle of a “perfect storm." At the same time baby boomers are leaving the workforce, we also see major changes in youth demographics. Youth of color and low -income youth make up a growing percentage of total school-age children, yet many of these youth are most at-risk of dropping out. If we are to adequately prepare a highly trained workforce and remain economically solvent as a state, we need to turn the tide. Dropping out of school is a process, not a one-day event. Using the research on early warning signs, we can identify the youth most at risk and use evidence-based intervention strategies to prevent youth from dropping out.
We know that when communities come together, they can meet the challenges of the dropout crisis head on – but it often requires the added capacity of staff to support their efforts. And that is precisely why hosting an AmeriCorps Promise Fellow through the Minnesota Alliance with Youth can benefit both your organization and your community.
AmeriCorps Promise Fellows serve for one year with schools and organizations across Minnesota to mobilize volunteers, create new after-school programs, build mentoring and tutoring initiatives, and engage youth in service-learning. AmeriCorps members allow schools and communities to pilot strategies and programs on a small and cost-efficient scale, and then seek long-term local funding. Promise Fellows receive significant training and experience that helps grow and strengthen the youth development field in Minnesota. This year, the Minnesota Alliance with Youth placed 80+ Promise Fellows in schools and organizations across the state of Minnesota, and next year they are looking to increase this number to reach even more youth!
There are currently six Promise Fellows serving at three different MN YIPA member sites, and all six are doing great things for our communities. Shane Thompson from the Seneca and Odawa Nations is the Education Coordinator Promise Fellow with the Ginew/Golden Eagle program based out of the Minneapolis American Indian Center. He works closely with Rachel Greenwalt who is the Volunteer Coordinator Promise Fellow also serving with the Ginew/Golden Eagle program. They serve American Indian youth ages 5-18 and offer groups for various age groups four nights a week, providing a meal and transportation to and from groups. According to Rachel, “it has been such a great opportunity to get to know all the kids in our program. We currently have just over 80 kids enrolled in the program and we are continuing to recruit more families to be involved at Golden Eagles.”
Other YIPA sites that are currently hosting one or more Promise Fellows:
If you know anyone who is interesting in becoming an AmeriCorps Promise Fellow, refer them to the Minnesota Alliance with Youth website.
To achieve goals and support students, the Minnesota Alliance With Youth invites schools, community organizations, government agencies, and other nonprofits to apply to host one or more AmeriCorps Promise Fellows to support their School Community Partnerships.
If you are interested in hosting a Promise Fellow for 2011-2012, please go to the Minnesota Alliance with Youth website for additional information about writing a letter of intent. And keep in mind that the deadline for Letters of Intent is right around the corner: December 15th, 2010.
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