Mentorship
M.U.S.T. believes in the power mentorship has on young people. Studies have shown time and time again that mentoring has countless positive effects on a person’s life, from improved attendance and school performance to better mental health and success later in life. The consistent, enduring presence of a caring adult in a young person’s life provides the support, guidance, and encouragement young people need to overcome barriers and grow their confidence and worldviews.
M.U.S.T. programming is designed to challenge each individual’s perception of the world and their place in it, to inspire them to become empowered and develop the tools to liberate themselves.
Mentors
Emerging adult Black males are paid for four years to mentor high school students who are underserved in the community.
We know underserved can be subjective, however we are allowing our mentors, mentees and their families to determine if they deem themselves underserved whether it be academically, mentally, emotionally, socially and/or physically.
Mentors get the support they need to persist in college or a career and mentees get an emerging Black adult male to look up to.
High School Mentees
Underserved Black male high school Mentees are matched with a Mentor who assists with passion and drive over their highschool period to help them succeed.
Because M.U.S.T. serves underserved mentees, it needs to be a four-year mentoring program. Sometimes, it can take a year just to earn a mentee’s trust. It's been proven, by years three and four M.U.S.T. has a strong voice in the life of the mentee. The mentees watch their mentors for four years and begin to think… “He comes from the same place I do. If he can do it… so can I!”
Coaches
Our coaches are passionate professionals in the community who volunteer to coach the Mentors. Coaches and Mentors meet together twice a month during the school year and work together to assist the Mentor with relationships, education, work or any life issues. These professionals are matched to Mentors based on their interests and career goals.
Why mentoring?
M.U.S.T.’s four-year program serves Mentees throughout their high school tenure. Mentees join the M.U.S.T. community during the summer leading up to their freshman year in high school. They are paired with relatable, emerging adult Mentors, Black males aged 18-29 who are in college or beginning their careers, to help guide and inspire them throughout their high school tenure as they form a vision for their future and discover their authentic path in life. Likewise, Mentors are paired with volunteer adult Coaches committed to supporting them on their own path by assisting them in developing their leadership styles and navigating adulthood. The Mentor/Mentee relationship is cultivated through weekly meetings over meals before or after school as well as bi-weekly weekend outings with their cohort, quarterly events, and large group outings. During summer, Mentees and Mentors participate in workshops and outdoor experiences that focus on establishing skills for setting themselves up for success, social-emotional learning, college and career readiness, and team building.