Dare To Be Different 26 Week Mentoring Program

At the heart of our program is consistent, caring mentorship. Each youth is paired with a trained mentor who provides weekly guidance, accountability, and encouragement. Through small-group sessions, youth develop:

• Identity & Purpose: Understanding who they are and what they're capable of
• Emotional Intelligence: Managing emotions, building resilience, and healthy relationships
• Leadership Skills: Public speaking, conflict resolution, decision-making
• Behavior Correction: Tools to redirect negative patterns and build positive habits

Our mentors don't just show up once, they become trusted allies who walk alongside youth through challenges and celebrate their victories.

Youth gain hands-on exposure to real-world careers and entrepreneurship through:

• Entrepreneurship Training: Business planning, marketing basics, financial literacy
• Creative & Technical Trades: Media production, fashion design, barbering, automotive tech, digital arts
• Professional Development: Resume building, interview skills, workplace etiquette
• Life Skills: Time management, budgeting, communication, goal-setting

Every participant completes a Capstone Project—a real business, creative work, or social initiative they design, develop, and present at program end. This builds confidence, ownership, and tangible skills for the future..

We reinforce school success and community connection through:

• Academic Tutoring: Homework help, study skills, literacy and math enrichment
• Youth-Led Service Projects: Giving back to the community and building civic responsibility
• Team-Building Activities: Outdoor adventures, group challenges, and peer collaboration
• Positive Peer Culture: Building friendships with youth who share their commitment to growth

Youth learn that success isn't just about personal achievement—it's about lifting others and contributing to something bigger than themselves.

The mentorship doesn't stop when school ends. Our 4-5 week Summer Leadership Experience (June) keeps youth engaged during the critical summer months through:

• Outdoor Adventures & Team Building: Field trips, group challenges, experiential learning
• Continued Mentorship: Same trusted mentors reinforcing accountability and identity
• Vocational Exposure: Light, high-energy introduction to creative trades
• Service Projects: Community-based learning rooted in purpose and collaboration

This summer component provides a positive, structured alternative to idle time—keeping youth off the streets and locked into their development journey.