We are looking for champions!
Youth experiencing homelessness often lack a supportive adult influence who can help direct them in their education, post high school planning, and building community connections. The Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) program is sponsoring Champions for Teens (C4T) to support displaced youth in these areas. Through a structured curriculum, C4T offers high school youth experiencing homelessness the opportunity to work with an adult volunteer advocate who will serve as the student's "champion."
Our champions are matched with a high school student attending a school district in Berks or Lancaster County and will:
- Build a working relationship with the youth
- Assist the youth in developing goals for post-secondary success
- Institute a workable plan with the student to reach those goals
- Develop a supportive network in the community
Successful advocates will have the following traits:
- Empathy
- Conscientiousness
- Patience
- Persistence
Advocates will also be required to have the three clearances necessary to work with children in the state of Pennsylvania:
- Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance
- Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Clearance
- FBI Criminal History Clearance
Advocates must be 26 years of age or older, preferably residing in Berks or Lancaster County. Advocates must be able to commit to weekly meetings either in person (at an appropriate public setting) or virtually with their student-mentee. An online training will be provided along with a monthly check-in scheduled with the volunteer.
For more information, you can contact:
- Melissa DeMotta, ECYEH Program Supervisor: meldem@berksiu.org
- Allyssa Kovich, ECYEH Program Specialist: allkov@berksiu.org
Visit our website: https://sites.google.com/berksiu.org/ecyeh/champions-for-teens
