Focus On The Future Mentoring Program Fact Score Values

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Focus On the Future Mentoring Program Program Facts Core Values Program Story The Focus on the Future Mentor Program was launched in 2011 as one of Come Thirsty Ministries, Inc. Programs. The program design uses workshops and activities as a means to build young men in becoming who God has called them to be. Program presenters use real life stories and experiences to relate and educate the young men who participate in the program. The program focuses on mentoring through small groups and individual connections.

Motto: “Mentoring New Leaders, To Build Our Communities”

The Mission Statement: The mission of “Focus on the Future” mentoring program is to motivate, and prepare young men to lead their communities.

Workshops and Lessons include:

- Handling Student Conflict: leadership, personal identification, strengths & weaknesses, goal setting

- Basic Living Skills/Professionalism: cooking, cleaning, budgeting, hygiene, sexual purity/education, etiquette

- Morality: Values, standards of behavior, life principles, respect for authority, spirituality

- Community Building: peer refusal skills, volunteering, empathy development, anger management, effective listening, self-image

- Academics: study skills, college prep, core studies, college tours, recommended readings

Dress Code:

Most sessions require wearing a uniform: Khakis with Belt / White Shirt / Tie / Dress Shoes (Brown or Black). When not in uniform: Focus on The Future T-Shirt / Belt / Clean Shoes.

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Paper For Above instruction

The "Focus on the Future" mentoring program exemplifies a comprehensive community-driven effort aimed at empowering young men to become effective leaders rooted in faith-based principles. Initiated in 2011, the program employs a variety of workshops, activities, and mentoring strategies to develop essential life skills, foster moral integrity, and build community engagement. This paper explores the program's mission, core values, educational components, and its potential for impact assessment through a structured program evaluation plan, emphasizing its significance within the broader context of youth development and social work practice.

Introduction

Mentoring programs serve as vital tools in guiding youth toward positive developmental trajectories. The "Focus on the Future" program integrates biblical principles with practical life skills, creating a holistic environment conducive to growth. Understanding the program's framework, goals, and challenges provides insight into its effectiveness and areas for improvement, which can be systematically evaluated through an evidence-based approach. This paper aims to articulate a comprehensive evaluation plan to assess the program's impact on participants, considering stakeholder perspectives, data collection strategies, and utilization of findings for continuous improvement.

Program Description and Goals

The "Focus on the Future" mentoring program is designed with the overarching goal of motivating young men to assume leadership roles within their communities, grounded in spiritual and moral values. It seeks to combat issues such as lack of direction, poor academic performance, and limited life skills, which often hinder at-risk youth from reaching their potential. The program’s specific objectives include enhancing leadership capabilities, improving life management skills, cultivating positive moral values, and fostering community involvement among participants. Activities encompass workshops on conflict resolution, professionalism, morality, community service, and academics, aiming to equip participants with tools necessary for personal and societal transformation.

Activities and Participant Demographics

The program engages in interactive workshops, mentorship sessions, community service projects, and educational excursions like college tours. Participants predominantly comprise young men from underserved communities, facing challenges such as poverty, limited educational resources, and family instability. These challenges often manifest in low self-esteem, academic struggles, and difficulty establishing positive relationships. The program’s activities are tailored to address these issues by instilling confidence, developing practical skills, and fostering a sense of purpose. The mentoring approach emphasizes small group interactions and individualized attention, promoting a supportive environment for growth.

Challenges in Service Delivery

Implementing the "Focus on the Future" program involves navigating multiple challenges. Resource limitations, including funding and staffing, impact the scope and consistency of activities. Additionally, engagement from participants and their families may vary due to transportation issues, competing responsibilities, or lack of parental support. Participants' socio-economic backgrounds may also hinder consistent attendance or full participation. These obstacles require adaptive strategies such as community partnerships, volunteer mobilization, and flexible scheduling. Recognizing and addressing these challenges ensure the program’s sustainability and impact.

Research Question

A central research question guiding the program evaluation is: “How effective is the 'Focus on the Future' mentoring program in improving leadership skills and moral development among participating young men?” This question aims to measure overall program impact concerning leadership self-efficacy, moral values, and community engagement, providing data to inform program refinement and demonstrate effectiveness to stakeholders.

Evaluation Background and Stakeholders

The primary goals of the evaluation encompass assessing participant progress in leadership, moral development, and life skills, alongside measuring program satisfaction. Critical stakeholders include program coordinators, mentors, participants, parents, community leaders, and funding agencies. Their insights help shape evaluation criteria and ensure the findings are actionable. Desired results include quantifiable improvements in participants' skills, positive behavioral changes, and increased community involvement, with evaluation outputs such as reports, recommendations, and success stories to guide program evolution.

Data Collection Questions and Rationale

  • Question 1: To what extent have participants developed leadership skills through the program?
  • Rationale: This measures specific competencies gained and whether the program effectively fosters leadership, which can be assessed through surveys and mentor assessments.
  • Question 2: How has the program influenced participants’ moral values and behaviors?
  • Rationale: Pre- and post-program attitudinal surveys and reflective journals can provide data on moral development over time.
  • Question 3: What are participant perceptions of the program’s effectiveness and relevance?
  • Rationale: Satisfaction surveys and focus group discussions reveal the program’s perceived value and areas needing improvement.

Data Collection Approach

Using a mixed-methods approach, quantitative data will be collected through questionnaires and assessment rubrics, while qualitative data will be gathered via interviews, focus groups, and journal entries. Participants will be surveyed at the beginning and end of the program to measure changes. Mentors and staff will provide observational data and evaluations. Data sources include participant feedback forms, academic records, and behavioral observations. Data collection methods involve online surveys, face-to-face interviews, and review of program documentation.

Scheduling and Constraints

The data collection phase is scheduled over six months, beginning with baseline assessments, mid-term reviews, and final evaluations. Each phase involves specific activities, responsible personnel, and output expectations. Constraints include limited funding for extensive data collection, participant attrition, and scheduling conflicts with participants’ commitments. To mitigate these, the program will employ flexible data collection times, utilize digital surveys, and maintain ongoing engagement strategies.

Utilization of Findings and Importance of Program Evaluation

The collected data will inform program modifications, resource allocation, and strategic planning. Stakeholders such as sponsors and community leaders will utilize evaluation reports to secure continued support. Participants will benefit from improved program offerings tailored to their needs, fostering sustainable growth. Conducting research within community programs is vital for social workers as it provides evidence-based insights to enhance service delivery, promote accountability, and advance best practices that support youth development and social justice.

Conclusion

The "Focus on the Future" mentoring program embodies a holistic approach to youth empowerment rooted in faith and practical skill development. A rigorous evaluation plan encompassing clear research questions, stakeholder engagement, diverse data collection methods, and strategic planning is essential to measure its effectiveness and guide continuous improvement. Such systematic assessment not only strengthens program outcomes but also exemplifies best practices in community-based youth development, aligning with social work’s core values of service, social justice, and dignity for all.

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