Tutor / Mentor

COMMUNITY PARTNER

CARE (Community Asset & Resource Enterprise Partnership)

ABOUT THE INTERNSHIP

Duties

Serve as a tutor for academically at risk children.  Under the direction of the program supervisor, the intern along with other volunteers plans and provides group activities that help enrich the child's life (physical fitness, service, art and other projects). CARE Partnership with Youth (CPWY) is a mentoring program for elementary and junior high age students.  The program is provided in collaboration with schools (ASU, MCC, U of A, etc.), agencies (United Food Bank, etc.), organizations (Sierra Club, etc.) and individuals (social workers, nurses, etc).  CARE Partnership with Youth is focused on academic success and helping youth make positive life choices.

Population served

The children who live in the community surrounding CARE are at risk based upon the serious social, behavioral, academic and socio-economic issues that challenge their lives.  Our youth have few positive role models, low expectations from key adults in their lives and too often low expectations for themselves.  Challenging and even hostile environmental factors make them vulnerable to: poor academic performance; limited academic, career and personal goals for their own lives; gangs; teen pregnancy; and substance abuse.  In comparison to other Mesa USD junior high schools, CARE feeder schools have the: lowest Stanford 9 test scores compared to other junior high schools in Mesa; highest AIMS Test failure rates in all 3 areas (Math, Reading and Writing); highest junior high school drop-out rates; largest gang population; highest rate of teen pregnancy; greatest percentage of immigrant populations with English as a second language; highest percentage of single parent households; and highest mobility rates.

Community need/impact

The 85204 zip code has the greatest need for academically challenged students.  The meager resources offered in the past are rapidly disappearing with broad spread funding challenges.

Our future depends on the development of a cadre of well educated young workers, capable self-sufficiency and making a contribution to their family and community.  Also significant to the community's future is the decreasing youth with problem histories such as gangs, violence, criminal involvements, poor health status‚ especially life style related conditions.