Bolder Options

Mentoring program since 1993, Bolder Options has offered transformational and wellness-based mentoring for at-promise youth during a pivotal point in their lives at ages 10-14. Our youth are facing life challenges related to academics, social/emotional well-being, family/peer relationships, and other struggles, and are strategically matched with a volunteer mentor. Together with staff, youth set clear and attainable goals to track their growth and achievements. Mentor pairs meet weekly for 2-4 hours for one year. The year-long program holistically focuses on four key personal development areas: community connectivity, lifelong learning, healthy living, and social/emotional development through weekly activities planned by staff. In 2022, the mentoring program engaged 81 youth and mentor pairs, with 85% of youth completing goals and graduating from the program. Relationships are the center of all that we do at Bolder Options, and we recognize and value the diversity among us. Embracing cultural and community differences provide opportunities to relate, associate, and connect to the world in ways that are personally meaningful. These connections also help to inform a sense of identity, self-worth, and belonging and offer opportunities to learn of experiences unlike our own. Our goal is to ensure the promise of our community's youth is realized, regardless of their life circumstances.

Alumni program after graduation from our one-year mentoring program, youth and mentors can remain involved with Bolder Options through our alumni program, which cultivates lasting relationships between mentors and mentees to meet the needs of older youth as they progress onward through high school and into their careers. Participants meet monthly for activities and events specifically focused on goal setting around college and career, leadership, and community connectivity. Monthly mentor meet-ups are also a way for both current and alumni mentors to support and learn from each other. Additionally, alumni youth, mentors, and caregivers can join the alumni program advisory board, which helps inform the activities of our mentorship program. In 2022, the alumni program engaged 60 youth. Each year, 90-100% of mentoring program graduates opt to participate in our alumni program, which has become a core component of our work as we seek to support lifelong success through long-term mentoring relationships.