PROJECT DREAM

CPNYC’s mentoring program, Project DREAM (Directing Realities through Exposure, Access & Mentoring), provides children of imprisoned parents, ages 8-18, with one-to-one matches with screened and trained mentors, as part of the agency’s larger mission to break the cycle of intergenerational incarceration.  Project DREAM offers mentoring matches the opportunity to participate in trips and activities which build the mentoring relationship.  Each mentor receives extensive training and support, on an on-going basis and each child in the program receives mental health counseling, academic support and interventions, and opportunities to participate, with their mentor, in recreational and educational activities and outings.

Project DREAM focuses on providing participants with the opportunity to develop healthy, positive relationships with trusted adults who foster participants’ interests, aspirations and a hopeful outlook about their future.  In many cases, the mentor is the first adult to take an interest in the child’s personal aspirations, providing them with access to new experiences and information, exposure to educational and career exploration and providing a new perspective on their futures and reaching their fullest potential.  CPNYC’s intent is to create and sustain nurturing, long-term one-to-one relationships that provide mentees with caring, adult role models who provide opportunities for them to gain new skills and expand their experiences beyond their families, schools and neighborhoods.  Project DREAM facilitates activities around educational advancement, healthy socialization, new recreational activities and career exploration.

Project DREAM facilitates the building of a solid mentoring relationship first and then supplement with appropriate activities which will assist in sustaining the match past one year. The minimum requirement for each match is to spend at least one hour per week together. Additional structured activities are incorporated and facilitated by CPNYC staff to encourage the engagement and sustainability of the match for a minimum of 12 months, these include:

• Tutoring in areas of need to improve academic achievement in core academic subjects

• Completing academic goal setting exercises

• Monthly community service activities

• Recreational and educational trips and activities

• Visiting museums, art shows and or other cultural activities

• Touring specialize high schools and local colleges

• Job shadowing and career exploration

• Exploring potential career paths or interests

Kara Mauro, Mentor Program Coordinator
kmauro@cpnyc.org
tel:718-475-9407

APPLY ONLINE
DOWNLOAD APPLICATION

MENTOR ELIGIBILITY:

-Be at least 18 years of age
-Reside in the New York City/New Jersey area
-Complete the screening process
-Adhere to all Project DREAM policies and procedures
-Agree to a one-year commitment to the match
-Commit to spending a minimum of 4-8 hours a month with mentee

MENTOR BENEFITS

-Feeling of pride and accomplishment
-Use professional experience to inspire a young person
-Meet other professionals outside your industry
-Invest in the future of your community

UPCOMING MENTOR DATES:

March 2012

Open House:

Wednesday March 14th; 6:30-7:30pm

Wednesday March 28th; 6:30-7:30pm

Mentor 101/102  Training:

Saturday March 24th; 10:00am-1:00pm

April 2012

Open House:

Wednesday April 4th; 6:30-7:30pm

Wednesday April 18th; 6:30-7:30pm

 Mentor 101/102  Training:

Saturday April 28th; 10:00am-1:00pm

May 2012

Open House:

Wednesday May 9th; 6:30-7:30pm

Wednesday May 23rd; 6:30-7:30pm

Mentor 101/102  Training:

Saturday May 26th; 10:00am-1:00pm

UPCOMING MENTORING EVENTS

RECENT MENTORING EVENTS

Online mentoring applications are available here.
Or you can apply by contacting:
Kara Mauro, Mentor Program Coordinator at kmauro@cpnyc.org
tel:718-475-9407