MYCL Communities

The Minnesota Youth Community Learning (MYCL) Initiative partners Konopka Institute staff at the University of Minnesota and seven Minnesota community coalitions. The community coalitions are comprised of civic, education, business and nonprofit leaders all working together to support healthy youth development...and build vibrant communities.

Cass Lake Teen Outreach Program (TOP) Cass Lake is located within the Leech Lake Indian Reservation in Cass County Independent School District #115 enrollment: 1,171

The Teen Outreach Program, with the assistance of the Boys and Girls Club of the Leech Lake Area, connects area youth to community teachers who help rejuvenate learning, reduce youth violence and foster personal growth that reaffirms the Anishinabe principle of the inter-connectedness of all living things:
O-gii-chi-tii-bako-nii-gay-win
(the Way in Which All Life is Bound Together)

Making A Difference:
Our Teen Outreach Program program reaches young females in the Cass Lake-Bena school district who benefit from increased personal and academic support. We have spent time working on academics as well as creating stronger bonds of friendship through social networking events. By providing after school academic support, students who previously ?slipped through the cracks? are now getting the support they need to continue to thrive. Our work creates brighter options for our young adults.

For more information about TOP, contact
Keenan Goodfellow, Teen Outreach Coordinator
kgoodfellow@bgcleechlake.com

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Faribault Building on Promise (BOP) Independent School District #656 enrollment: 4,057

Building on Promise is a youth mentoring program which pairs community teachers with disconnected youth in Faribault to encourage their interest and energy for education and learning. The success of the program lies in the sustained connections that are made between community teachers and area youth.

Making A Difference:

With the help of Konopka Institute staff, we are now creating a parental support program, Parents' Night Off, to provide student advocacy skills for our parents. We also provide vocational mentorship to several area students to explore possible future career options.

For more information about Building on Promise, contact
Sharon Wilson, Community Coordinator
sharon@shac4youth.org

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Fergus Falls Stepping Stones Independent School District #544 enrollment: 2,801

Stepping Stones is a youth mentoring project that provides youth learning and development opportunities while encouraging adults to play a larger role in the lives of disconnected young people in Fergus Falls.

Making A Difference:

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Maple River Area Communities (Amboy, Good Thunder, Mapleton, and Minnesota Lake) Connect 4 Independent School District #2135 enrollment: 1,275

Connect 4 is a community driven initiative that seeks to support, inspire, and guide middle school aged youth through mentoring relationships and activities that build self-esteem and promote positive lifestyles.

Making A Difference:

Connect 4 students receive approximately 40 hours of mentoring and tutoring service during the school year and the program produced a dramatic drop in the number of D and F grades during the 2005-06 school year. Several after school program students collaborated in 2006 to create a DVD about the uniqueness and vitality of the Maple River area. The Family Enrichment Program provides support, networking and workshop opportunities to dozens of area parents who want to play a larger role in the lives of young adults.

For more information on Connect 4, contact
Bridget Whitney, Community Coordinator
bridgetmw@hotmail.com
Visit the Connect 4 website while at the City of Mapleton website, then click "Connect 4."
http://www.mapletonmn.com/

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North Minneapolis (Jordan and Hawthorne Neighborhoods) Community Roots Under New Connection (CRUNC) CRUNC program schools: North High School, Nellie Stone Johnson K-8, Minnesota Internship School Total enrollment: 1,800

CRUNC is a community collaboration to mobilize active community members to engage youth for the purpose of enhancing the value of learning. Through the collaboration of community, school and church leaders, disengaged youth and community teachers explore life skill and learning activities to shape healthy and proud adolescents.

Making A Difference:

CRUNC has developed "Possibility Charts," collaborative tools that identify and match community teachers with students and local resources in order to create an optimal learning experience. One CRUNC student has made great personal and academic progress and has been selected to address the graduating class at Nellie Stone Johnson School. The Girls with Emotional Maturity (GEM) program reaches young women who benefit from increased academic, personal, and vocational development support. These programs speak to the strength of the North Minneapolis' proud young adults.

For more information on CRUNC, contact
Adrian Mack, Community Coordinator
getcrunc@hotmail. com

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McGregor TEAM-UP (Teens Experiencing Adult Mentorship for Upward Progress) Independent School District #4 enrollment: 519 students

McGregor
TEAM-UP (Teens Experiencing Adult Mentorship for Upward Progress)

Independent School District #4 enrollment: 519 students

TEAM-UP is a community driven one-on-one skill-based mentoring program that connects 7-11th grade youth with community adults for learning skills and relationship developing activities. TEAM-UP engages civic, business and school resources to support youth through academic tutoring, mentoring and youth empowerment.

Making A Difference:

Our TEAM-UP program hosts 10 female students who have been meeting after school regularly to better develop social, academic and recreational skills. Their meetings have become well-coordinated social events including planning formal dinners for parents and educational field trips. Our three Speak Out events in 2006 attracted more than 100 parents from the McGregor-Tamarak-Lakes area. The Speak Out events were an opportunity to generate an action plan for greater community involvement in youth development.

For more information on TEAM-UP, contact
Barb Moen-Goenner, Community Coordinator
bgoenner@frontiernet.net

Worthington Learning Links Independent School District #518 enrollment: 2,296 In 2005, 43% of district students were students of color.

Learning Links matches middle and high school students who are disconnected from learning with a community teacher to re-engage their interest in learning.

Making A Difference:

To meet the needs of parents who want to become more engaged in the lives of their children, we have developed PASS, or (Parents Advocating for Student Success), a nine week program that teaches child and student advocacy skills to parents. Nearly 150 parents are enrolled or have taken PASS training to improve the quality of involvement in the lives of area youth. Four of the PASS sessions are in Spanish to ensure engagement with all of the Worthington community. The REACH after school tutoring program regularly attracts 30 students who receive homework assistance from community education staff.

For more information on Learning Links or PASS, contact
Rhonda Brandt, Community Coordinator
Rhonda.brandt@isd518.net
Visit the Learning Links website at: http://www.isd518.net/District/LearningLinks/learninglinks.htm

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