Small Group Mentoring for

Jr. High Boys

“You are a unique creation of much worth. There will never be another you.”

Our Mission:

Through mentoring, come along side junior high boys, to accept, encourage, teach and model character qualities that will prepare them to make good life choices.

Our Topics:

As an outreach of the Miami Valley Women’s Center, TEAM is a preventative program that encourages young men to abstain from premarital sex in order to avoid potential life-altering consequences.

However, we realize that there are many other relevant and pressing issues that face young people today. Topics covered include: character, self-worth, self-respect, trust, same-sex friendships, opposite-sex friendships and relationships, drugs, alcohol, sex and future goals. We want to help boys realize the decisions they make today can affect their future in positive and negative ways, and offer practical and relevant advice on healthy choices.

Game Plan:

TEAM groups meet weekly and are designed to fit in a lunch time or study hall period. Between 45 and 60 minute time slots seem to work best for covering information. It is important for the school to arrange a location for each group to meet weekly that is quiet, confidential, and undisturbed. In some cases this may not be possible, but location helps create an atmosphere conducive to the purposes of TEAM.

Keeping the group between 8-12 boys allows for them to bond as a group. It also enables the TEAM leader to actively mentor and to develop a deeper level of trust with each boy.

Selecting Your Group:

Recruiting boys for TEAM is handled differently in each school. Typically, the guidance counselors and the teachers work together to generate a list based on behavior and attitude. However, sometimes boys are chosen for low self-esteem, single-parent households, or maybe they just need friends.

Yearly Activities:

During the year there will be special activities for special occasions. We will recognize the holidays with parties that will continue to create group bonding. There will be an end of the year party possibly at the Miami Valley Womens Center. Transportation will be provided.

TEAM is a part of the abstinence program of the Miami Valley Womens Center. The small-group mentoring idea holds unlimited potential for reaching both private and public school students. We hope you will thoughtfully consider offering TEAM to your 8th grade boys. If you would like to speak with a counselor who has implemented TEAM in their school, please contact the Miami Valley Women’s Center.

Questions?

Please contact:

Brad Berlean

Miami Valley Women’s Center

937-298-9998