Our focus was on addressing the challenges related to mentoring, particularly how health disparities affect youth growth and academic development. As Code Scholars, we implemented a mentorship program that included engaging activities for students at the Boys and Girls Club. These activities allowed us to introduce ourselves and encouraged them to express themselves in a relaxed and enjoyable environment. Creating a safe space was important for having open communication among all participants. Throughout the first three weeks of school, we observed a noticeable increase in attendance and engagement during our weekly Thursday meetings. We encouraged activities that helped the kids explore their interests and aspirations. Research indicates that having a trustworthy mentor who can relate to the youth—like a peer mentor rather than a traditional mentor—can significantly enhance attendance and academic performance (McDonald, K., & Fischer, T. 2014). At first, the mentees were more reserved and hesitant to talk to us. However, over time, we noticed that they started to open up more. This change happened because, as mentors, we were closer in age to the students, which made it easier for them to relate to us. They saw us as peers who understood some of what they were going through, which helped them feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings. As a result, they became more engaged and willing to participate in activities and conversations, making our relationship stronger. This positive change in the student’s behavior is a testament to the effectiveness of our mentorship program.
We encountered challenges such as lower-than-expected student turnout and difficulties coordinating our team due to various circumstances. These obstacles forced us to adapt our plans, and we had to find ways to make each activity enjoyable despite the setbacks. This mentorship experience has demonstrated our resilience. We learned that even the best-laid plans might not unfold as expected, and being flexible and willing to adjust was necessary for strengthening and improving the program overall. The structured activities we implemented aimed to deepen our understanding of each other. Activities like the five-year plan and the jar of compliments were designed to promote personal reflection and have students share their dreams and goals. The five-year plan helped mentees think about their future careers and understand basic budgeting by estimating incomes and expenses. While we acknowledged the limitations of this exercise—specifically the unpredictability of living expenses in the future—it still offered valuable insights into planning. The jar of compliments was impactful, as it focused on building self-esteem and mutual respect within the group. Reading and receiving compliments helped create a sense of appreciation among the mentees, contributing to a positive group dynamic.
With all these activities we planned, we recognize that not all activities were successful due to fluctuating attendance. This taught us an important lesson in adaptability; having backup plans would have been beneficial when certain activities couldn’t proceed as intended. In retrospect, preparing alternative activities could have ensured that we maximized our time together. We hope that our audience can empathize with the challenges we face and understand the importance of adaptability in such situations.
Overall, this mentorship experience has taught us the importance of flexibility and adaptability. We learned that even the best-laid plans can be disrupted, but the key to success is our ability to trust, adjust, stay resilient, and continue building strong relationships with the students. This program has helped us grow as mentors and reinforced the importance of peer mentorship in trust and openness with youth.
In the future, we will enhance our strategies for managing inconsistent attendance and ensure we have backup activities ready. We plan to strengthen our communication with NCNW to explore their support and resources. Any future programs we do must align with our core values of trust, resilience, and mutual respect. This experience has highlighted the significant impact of mentorship grounded in these principles.