CHAMPS Male Mentoring Program - Chirise

CHAMPS has three primary areas of programming that complement each other to support positive identity formation in our youth and catalyze the growth and development of their manhood. The cornerstone of our program is CHAMPS' Community-Based program where we provide extra-curricular programming with a focus on mentoring. These session now take place at three different sites some on weeknights and one sight on Saturdays. Sessions are aligned to the 3E's: Education Empowerment and Exposure. We bring in speakers provide social-emotional learning support take trips perform community service and expose young men to new experiences. While no two Saturdays are the same we do work in cycles so that activities reinforce one another over time. Saturdays are where mentors are able to engage with and interact with our young men. Below is a description of how our program operates based on the three pillars. Exposure - Exposure is a critical element of CHAMPS programming. We increase opportunities for our Boys and Young Men of Color to experience a diverse range of activities and broaden their perspective. Throughout the year we plan trips and attend community events to expose students to different areas of the city needs in the community new opportunities and new experiences. For example this fall we spent a day at Iron Oaks for team-building experience on a high ropes course and challenging students and mentors to step out of their comfort zones. We are also attending the National Association of Black Journalists College and Career Fair this month and planning a trip to Top Golf in December. In addition to these monthly trips we create opportunities for students to leave the city and state and country. Education - We draw on historical and contemporary African-American & Latino culture to establish a positive foundation of identity and instill a value for lifelong learning. Most Saturdays we devote time to small group circles with culturally relevant and age-appropriate topics of conversation. These circles may involve reading as a prompt or straight dialogue but it is time devoted providing social-emotional awareness skills and development on a consistent basis. We also invite in members of the Chicago Police Department several times each year to deliver Law and the Community curriculum and create lines of communication between the youth and police. Empowerment - We equip Boys and Young Men of Color to lead communicate and engage in activities that catalyze the growth and development of their manhood ultimately sustaining their families and communities. We bring in speakers to engage in narrative therapy so that youth can learn how to tell their own stories and witness examples of men who did not allow their mistakes to define them. We also incorporate sports and other activities to foster positive relationships between peers and to provide time and space for them to be kids and have fun. Finally we schedule community service opportunities to promote our value of service while also giving our young men opportunities to be seen as leaders in the community. Community Mentors Our newest and most exciting initiative is with our alumni and young men aged 18-24. We have seen the need for continued support development and engagement in this age group and have developed this program to both provide an opportunity for them to give back as mentors while also receiving mentoring and guidance on their educational professional pathways.

We are partnering with high schools and middle schools to provide SEL support to young men who are struggling in school. Many schools and nearby districts have reached out over the last few months as funding has become available and they are realizing the intense needs of their students following the pandemic. CHAMPS is currently working in three schools and in negotiations with several more to establish regular programming structures. In addition to student support CHAMPS will be providing PD and parent workshops at several schools to help school staff and parents better support their young men.

Our CHAMPS Summer program provides employment opportunities for youth career training and exposure trips. We provide a variety of career-exposure oriented classes we take weekly trips and we host our annual Born 2 Win Conference for a full day of male empowerment and workshops. We also host basketball tournaments.