Education
Red Foundation Inc. Launches Community High Achievers Mentoring Programme in St Philip
Introducing the Community High Achievers Mentoring Programme (CHAMP) by Red Foundation Inc., helping struggling young people in St Philip with academic, emotional, and social adjustments through mentoring and counseling.
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Originally published by barbadostoday.bb (opens in new tab)
By Anesta Henry
Red Foundation Inc. has launched a Community High Achievers Mentoring Programme (CHAMP) designed to contribute to the advancement of struggling and at-risk young people who live in St Philip.
Managing Director of SMC Consultants and Consultant to the CHAMP project, Shawn Clarke, said the programme, targeting children between the ages of seven and 18, will operate as a community-based out-of-school programme.
Speaking during a press conference to launch the project at Accra Beach on Wednesday, Clarke said CHAMP will achieve its objectives by aiding mentees in academic, emotional and social adjustments to school and home life and pairing students at the primary, secondary and community levels with worthy and respected community members.
He said the programme, which is being supported by the Maria Holder Memorial Trust, has three components – one-on-one mentoring, group mentoring, and community counselling clinics.
Clarke added that weekly sessions will occur at a location in St Philip on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
He explained that one-on-one mentoring would provide young people with a mentor to help them build strong relationships and set and maintain life goals.
Clarke added that qualifying mentors must be 21 years or older and must have a love for children.
“Each mentor will receive one week of intensive training conducted by personnel from SMC Consultants who are qualified in mentorship training. Each mentor must commit eight hours monthly to meet with his or her mentee for this component,” he said.
Clarke added that the group mentoring component will comprise groups of mentees sitting with one mentor for academic studies, lessons, homework clubs and sporting activities.
He said the community counselling clinics will allow young people and their parents who need counselling intervention to sit with a psychologist or counsellor for one hour on Saturday mornings.
“It is envisaged that the mentor and mentee relationship will be for two years. It is, however, up to the mentor and mentee to decide if they want to continue the relationship unofficially. The relationship must be built on trust and the organisers’ knowledge that the mentors have the child’s best interest at heart.
