JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Oct. 27, 2020 - With local crime rates continuing to climb, communities are searching for actionable solutions and intervention based programs to impact the youth. The First Coast Leadership Foundation's vision is to change the streets from battlegrounds to playgrounds by implementing key community initiatives that create support. Mentoring 2 Thrive aims to provide protective support to help mentees reduce their likelihood of delinquency and substance abuse while promoting their ability to thrive. The program objectives for youth include decreasing risk factors for substance abuse, increasing protective factors and resilience through mentoring. The foundation will also connect youth and their families to resources such as health and social services, prosocial community activities, and neighborhood resources, including mental health and law enforcement agencies.

Mentoring 2 Thrive is funded through a 36-month, $4 million grant with the national Leadership Foundation Mentoring Network to support quality mentoring relationships by training 1,000 caring adults to become mentors matched with 3,000 youth through one-on-one and group matches. On its previous OJJDP grant, the LF Mentoring Network reported a number of promising outcomes with the youth they serve, including:
99% of mentees have not offended or re-offended
49% of mentees reported improved parent-child relationship
64% of mentees demonstrated an increase in school attendance
86% of mentees demonstrated an increase in social connectedness and support
95% mentor retention rate

Mentoring 2 Thrive will incorporate evidence based mentoring through innovative technology. Mentors and Mentees will be paired through Innovative Mentoring Service which will be used to track and measure data for mentors and mentees. Mentoring 2 Thrive will also partner with local companies and organizations. Nerdy Enterprise Team Nitro MMA will focus on social and emotional mentoring through Martial Arts. Nspire Learning Center will implement resources to increase academic performance and learning, Nerdy Enterprise will expose mentees to STEAM and robotics. Hands and Feet Foundation will provide referral services for substance abuse and mentoring for incarcerated youth and adult.

Mentors and mentees will make a 12 month commitment to meet for 1 hour per week, with both virtual and face to face sessions available. The First Coast Leadership Foundation plans to begin taking applications for both mentors and mentees starting in November on www.FCLFjax.org.

To learn more about the local mentoring initiative, contact CEO, Dr Nahshon L Nicks, The First Coast Leadership Foundation, nahshonn@tfclf.org or call 904-329-1372 ext 1. For press related inquiries, contact Tabitha Higgs at Tabitha@brightconceptsmg.com

Contact
Bright Concepts Media Group
Tabitha Higgs