Over the last several years, Native communities have been positively impacted by the funding provided through the OJJDP Mentoring grant. Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) has been able to utilize Federal award funding to serve their Native Clubs, reaching thousands of Native youth across the country each and every year. Regarding Indian Country alone, the grants received by BGCA in the past six years have served over a total of 21,700 Native youth.
Native Youth Served Through OJJDP Mentoring (FY 2011-2016)
FUNDING YEAR |
NATIVE YOUTH SERVED |
---|---|
2011 | 4,450 |
2012 | 3,826 |
2013 | 3,897 |
2014 | 3,271 |
2015 | 3,225 |
2016 (subject to change during grant close out) | 3,083 |
Six year total | 21,752 |
Clubs across the country enhance existing evidence-based programmatic components in the BGCA model with formal mentoring practices and prevention approaches. Serving Native youth through the OJJDP Mentoring grant has ensured that youth are experiencing quality youth development, as well as being matched with quality mentors. Mentoring in Native communities reinforces trust and confidence between mentors/mentees and allows for an impactful relationship. The funding allotted provides Boys & Girls Clubs in Native Lands with enhanced youth mentoring programming that supports the inclusion of culturally relevant components and traditional practices.