Gateways for Incarcerated Youth

Academic Mentoring Program

Academic MentoringFolder

2012-2013

Contents:

Vision, Mission & Values of Gateways2

What is an Academic Mentor3

Vision, Mission, Values & Objectives of AMP4

Gateways Handbook7

Gateways Participation Agreement 20

Tutoring, Critical Thinking and ListeningTips21

Poetry/Writing Exercises and Warm Ups23

Prison Industrial Complex 10132

Juvenile Justice Factsheet33

Real Cost of Prisons Timeline35

Obstacles upon Release Flow Chart 36

Goal Setting Worksheet39

Schedule Planner41

Assignment Sheet 42

10-week Evaluation43

Vision, Mission and Values

Vision

The vision of Gateways for Incarcerated Youth (Gateways) istobreak the cycle of incarceration, recidivism, and community violence. By utilizing methods of popular education, self-determination and cultural identity, Gateways envisions a world that values youth, their development and contributions as future members of society.

Mission

The mission of Gateways is to encourage incarcerated youth to achieve self-determination through youth-driven leadership in a collaborative learning environment. Gatewaysbrings together people of different backgrounds to offer and exchange quality educational opportunities and community involvement as an alternative to incarceration.

Values

Because Gateways recognizes the disproportionate rates of economic and racial injustices towards disadvantaged populations, we subscribe to the following values:

  1. Youth Development: We believe that acquiring genuine pro-social, cognitive, and emotional identities prepare incarcerated youth to successfully re-enter society.
  2. Cultural Awareness: We believe that individual and group cultural awareness is a means to counteract and prevent violence in the community.
  3. Education: We believe that developing critical thinking is essential to understanding oneself and one’s environment.
  4. Academic Success: We believe that access to and investment in education, especially higher education, provides alternatives during and post incarceration.
  5. Community Collaboration: We believe that our success is built upon the awareness, strength, resources and support of our community and its ability to work together.
  6. Compassion: We believe that to have a genuine impact on people, we must exemplify positive and healthy behaviors.

Programs

The College Programoffer incarcerated participants the opportunity to work with teachers and students from The Evergreen State College. Evergreen faculty and studentstravel to juvenile correctional facilities to work as co-learners with Green Hill students on a weekly basis during fall, winter, spring and summer quarters. Students read and discuss a common college level text, write response papers, and engage in a positive peer relationship

The Academic Mentoring Program(formerly known as the Challenge Program) offers participants one-on-one and small group peer mentoring and tutoring. It is a youth-driven and goal oriented program that pairs volunteers from Evergreen with young men at Green Hill. Together they develop a syllabus/work plan to meet once a week for an hour and a half. The Academic Mentoring Program is a way for young men to get additional support in the completion of their high school diploma, GED, post-incarceration plans, college class work and/or self study.

What is an Academic Mentor in the Gateways Program?

An Academic Mentor is one who works with another to accomplish a common educational goal. They act as academic mentors.

Partners in the Gateways program are:

  • Role Models
  • Peer Learners
  • Accountable
  • Concerned about the whole person
  • Concerned about the whole program
  • Community oriented
  • Dependable
  • Committed
  • Keeps all information Confidential*
  • Believes in the intrinsic worth of every person

* Any information that is dangerous to the person, to another person or is about escaping must be reported to an Institution staff.

Academic Mentors Responsibilities and Expectations

  1. Show Up!
  2. Engage with all Green Hill youth a staff in a friendly and respectful manner
  3. Be a model learner /participant
  4. Be engaged, respectful and aware of your surroundings
  5. Participate in all workshops to equip yourself with the tools to be the most effective mentor you can be
  6. Respect time and material limitations
  7. Give your full attention to the student and the work he is presenting you.
  8. Turn on your best listening skills when the student is speaking and sharing his work
  9. Make efforts to productively discuss the students work
  10. Make constructive use of the time given you.
  11. Avoid straying from your assigned task
  12. Be intentional
  13. Come prepared, spend time outside of the institution prepping materials
  14. That also means making sure the student you are helping stays focused
  15. Provide the student with constructive comment.
  16. Always approach the student and his work with respect
  17. Only give comments that you feel will help the student’s progress
  18. Use “I” statements to acknowledge the limitations of a single perspective.
  19. Have high expectations
  20. Work with the student on their own high expectations
  21. Don’t lower your standards unless you feel they are harming the students’ progress.
  22. Your expectations of work to be completed should be realistic keeping in mind the restrictions of the institution.
  23. Be aware of the power of education in society and use these points to motivate.

Vision, Mission, Values & Objectives of AMP

Vision

The vision of the Academic Mentoring Program (AMP)isanAfterschoolmentoring and tutoring program for Green Hill Residents that prepares participants to successfully reentersociety.

Mission

The Academic Mentoring Program will work towards the academic success of incarcerated youth during and post incarceration as a means to increase post incarceration preparation. We aim to develop each participant’s critical thinking skills as well as increase academic and vocational achievement.

Program Description

Through one-on-one or small group Academic Mentoring, Gateways will facilitate:

  • Academic Mentoring in self-interested studies as well as specific High School Subjects
  • HSPE Mentoring
  • Writing/Poetry Mentoring
  • College Entrance Exam Prep (COMPASS, SAT, ACT, ACCUPLACER)
  • College Preparation and Access Workshops
  • Job Preparedness and Access Workshops
  • Financial Literacy and Education Workshops
  • Chess Mentoring
  • Transitional Mentoring
  • Cultural Identity Mentoring
  • Music Mentoring

Objectives

With the Academic Mentoring Program/Green Hill Afterschool Program, Gateways aims to:

  • Improve Participants’ GED/HSPE Scores
  • IncreaseGreenHillSchool’s Diploma Completion and Graduation
  • Increase Participants’ interest in education, especially in areas of Math, Science and Writing
  • Increase Participants’ knowledge and preparation about career pathways
  • Increase participants development of pro-social behavior
  • Increase Participants’ knowledge and preparation about higher education pathways
  • Increase Participants’ confidence of post-incarceration success

Activities

Each Academic Mentoring Time will include the following schedule:

  • 30 Minute Workshop
  • Each Academic Mentoring Session will begin with a workshop on academic/vocational planning and resources.
  • 60 Minute Academic Mentoring
  • The group will then transition into one-on-one college mentor to youth mentoring or small group focusing on self selected topic of study. Youth waiting for mentors will meet in small groups based on academic interest/need.

Academic Mentoring Program Participant Activities

To ensure quality and effective Partnerships, College Mentors and Youth Participants must accomplish the following to participate in the Academic Mentoring Program:

Academic Mentoring Program Description1Last Update: A. Wong, August 2011

For TESC Mentors

Prior to Mentoring, Mentors will complete

  • Application & Interview
  • Orientation
  • Effective Mentoring and Partnership Training

While Mentoring, Mentors will facilitate

  • Goal setting and individualized curriculum development w/ youth
  • Group Check Ins & Reflections

While Mentoring, Mentors will participate in

  • Weekly Trainings/Workshops
  • Retreat
  • Tracking Weekly Evaluation

Prior to Completing One Mentoring Term (3, 6 or 9 months), Mentors will complete

  • Gateways Program Evaluations
  • AmeriCorps Mentoring Survey

Expectations

  • All New Mentors will attend 3 consecutive Group Check Ins and Reflections
  • All Mentors will engage in quarterly check ins and group debriefings
  • All Mentors will miss no more than 2 AMP sessions, failure to attend will result in removal from the program

For Incarcerated Youth Participants

Prior to Mentoring, Participants will complete

  • Application/Interview
  • Assessment
  • Orientation

While Mentoring, Participants will engage in

  • Goal setting and individualized curriculum development
  • Tracking Weekly Evaluations
  • Quarterly Check ins & Reflection w/ Program Coordinator

Prior to Completing One Mentoring Term (3, 6 or 9 months), Participants will complete

  • Gateways Program Evaluations
  • AmeriCorps Mentoring Survey
  • Assessment

Expectations

  • All participants will come prepared and ready to learn/engage in activities
  • All participants will work towards progressing in their own education
  • All Participants will engage in the AMP space respectful, if unable to do so they will be suspended from the program.
  • All Participants will make good-faith effort to maintain/improve behavior level

Academic Mentoring Program Description1Last Update: A. Wong, August 2011

  • All Mentors will participate reliably and consistently
  • If unable to attend, mentors must give or email coordinator a note for their mentee along with any materials for the day
  • All Mentors will be punctual leaving both Evergreen and the Green Hill classroom
  • All Mentors will make good-faith effort to attend at least 70% of trainings/workshops , if unable to attend they will access workshop materials on their own

Program Coordinator Responsibilities

  • Maintain and Improve Effectiveness of Academic Mentoring Program through strategic planning, intentional recruiting and careful screening
  • Facilitate partnerships between College Mentors and Youth Participants
  • Collect relevant and necessary data to track effectiveness of program, progress of all participants (mentors and youth), and overall participation in program
  • Be available to youth and mentors for debriefing and to address concerns, questions, suggestions and ideas relating to AMP
  • Facilitate learning of all participants through trainings, workshops and resources as applicable
  • Communicate program expectations, activities and objectives clearly to all participants and sponsors, including Green Hill staff and administrators and Evergreen community

Gateways for Incarcerated Youth

Participant Handbook

2012-2013

  1. Participant Expectations
  2. Follow Gateways Policies and Procedures
  3. Follow the Rules for Volunteers as Outlined by GreenHillSchool (below)
  4. Be on time: Students and Volunteer who are late will not be admitted to the institution
  5. Refrain from passing, receiving or sending notes.
  6. Show a high level of respect for everyone involved in the program: the incarcerated youth, staff at the facilities, Gateways staff, and other TESC students.
  7. Always come well prepared; set an example for the youth.
  8. Respond in a timely manner to youth’s individual requests
  9. Sustain the program, be intentional, aware and professional
  10. Represent and uphold the vision, mission and values of Gateways
  1. Appropriate Conduct

It is important that we avoid even the appearance of inappropriate actions; a lot of what we are allowed to do is based off perceptions of institution staff

  1. Be Yourself
  2. Don’t attempt to use language and behavior intended to impress, intimidate, or win acceptance from the incarcerated young men who are your peers and co-learners
  3. We want to exemplify confidence
  4. Be a Role Model
  5. No cursing, foul language, drug references (alcohol included), or sexual innuendoes
  6. Be engaged, be prepared
  7. Push yourself but be honest about your limitations
  8. Do not participate in Gateways activities inebriated
  9. Equal Relationships
  10. Encourage participation from everyone.
  11. Don’t limit your interactions to select people.
  12. Challenge yourself to get to know the whole group; try to sit next to someone new each week
  13. Do not inquire about criminal history
  14. Do not ask the incarcerated students about their crime(s) and/or why they are currently incarcerated.
  15. If someone wishes to tell you this information, they will.
  16. The Gateways program is focused on education and culture; we never attempt to address behavior or criminality.
  17. Restrict physical interactions to handshakes; no hugs.
  18. Be Aware
  1. Be conscious of your body language
  2. Of the backgrounds that youth, staff and mentors may come from and be intentional in the subject matter you choose to discuss in the AMP setting
  1. GreenHillSchool Rules for Volunteers
  2. Do not give or lend anything to residents and do not receive anything from them. All items in their possession must be approved by their living unit program manager and the security manager. Anything else is unauthorized property and could subject them to sanctions and you to legal action.
  3. Ensure that you are logged in to living units by name and that staff knows your whereabouts in the unit and elsewhere on the institution. Stay within sight of staff while in living units.
  4. Do not send or receive mail for residents. Do not attempt to take anything off of the institution for a resident. Be mindful of what you share about your personal life.
  5. Comply with institutional and Washington state tobacco use restrictions.
  6. Maintain confidentiality. Do not bring cameras or recorders on to the institution. Do not share with others what residents tell you about themselves and each other. Do not give your address or phone number to residents.
  7. Do not contact families or friends of residents on their behalf.
  8. If you have questions about anything, please ask staff.
  1. Confidentiality

As a Volunteer and Visitor to GreenHillSchool, you signed and agreed to the Oath of Privacy below:

As a condition of performing volunteer services or performing an internship at GreenHillSchool:

I agree not to divulge, publish, or otherwise make known, except as authorized by law and the Superintendent or designee, any information regarding persons who have received or are now receiving services at Green Hill School.

I recognize that unauthorized release of private information, including health or medical information, may subject me to civil liability and/or legal action under the provisions of state law and that any person may bring an action against me should I willfully release private information or records. I have read and understand provisions of the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA).

This oath specifically prohibits the unauthorized release of names or other information that in any way identifies residents, past residents, or family members of residents of GreenHillSchool.

This oath also prohibits release of names or other identifying information about staff without their specific approval.

All exceptions to this agreement must be approved, in writing, by the Superintendent or designee.

Organizational Policies for Students and Volunteers

Any disregard for the following policies will result in discontinuation in the Gateways Organization; specific disciplinary action(s) will be handled on a case-by-case basis by the Associate Superintendent & respective Gateways Staff.

If there are any questions, concerns or uncertainty, speak with a Gateways Staff person.

I.Dress Code Policy

This dress code is a requirement. If you are not dressed appropriately, you will not enter the institution. Dressing modestly is vital to ensuring that students have interactions that are respectful and focused on learning.

a.No skin showing below the neck, except forearms

i.No shorts or skirts

ii.No tank tops

iii.Close-toed shoes must be worn at all times; no sandals or flip-flops

b.Dress Presentably

i.No holes, patches or noticeable stains in clothing

ii.No hats, bandanas, headgear

iii.No visible jewelry or piercings

iv.No camouflage

v.No tight or revealing clothing (including: spandex, lycra, rubberized, elasticized garment, sheer transparent or mesh fabrics)

vi.Clothing that depicts obscenity, violence, gang affiliations, alcohol, drugs, anything that could be construed as sexual in nature or is derogatory to any person or class or persons.

vii.If you bend over and your skin or underwear is showing, that is not acceptable

viii.Female-bodied students and volunteers must wear a bra

ix.Be hygienic

x.Have hair tied up if applicable

  1. Suggested attire: Gateways T-Shirt and pants

II.Contraband

Within the institution, anything that is not approved by the facility is contraband. When entering the institution, please bring what is needed for our programs.DO NOT BRING ANY MATERIALS DIRECTLY INTO THE INSTITUTION. All materials must be given to the Program Coordinator and cleared at least 2 days prior to going out to Green Hill. All materials besides notebooks will be brought in using our AMP boxes. Failure to comply with this will lead to suspension from the program.

a.Acceptable Materials to bring into the institutions

i.Notebooks, notepads

ii.Texts, Printed Articles, Newspapers—that will be used during the session but not left with youth; please read books and resource policy prior to bringing in chosen printed materials

iii.Paper, pencils, etc.

iv.Clear plastic water bottles (No Glass)

v.Exceptions can be made for the following, but are typically not allowed

1.Scissors
2.Computers, recording equipment (cameras, video cameras, tape recorders, etc.)

b.Absolutely No:

i.Contained Substances

1.Tobacco, Drugs, Alcohol
2.Lighters or matches

ii.Weapons

1.Pocket knives, knives, guns, etc.

iii.Electronic Devices

1.Cell phones, mp3 players

iv.Bags, Backpacks, Purses, Wallets

v.Pens

III. Youth Contact Policy

As a student or volunteer in Gateways, you are prohibited to initiate individual contact with youth from the facilities we work at. Communication with youth outside of program-specified time must go through Gateways Staff.

a.Contact Restrictions

i.Individual contact outside the program or program-specified time is not acceptable—you are prohibited from exchanging personal information such as address or telephone number.

ii.While Youth are in JRA, Unacceptable Communication Includes (but is not limited to):

1.Writing letters
2.Calling Youth on the telephone at the institutions
3.Visiting Youth outside of group time
4.Providing gifts, money, financial support, tobacco, drugs, weapons or any items not previously approved by the administrator for GreenHillSchool

b.Group Home or Other JRA Facilities

i.In the event that youth transferred to Group Homes or other JRA institutions wish to continue working with their Academic Mentors or Co-Learners, Gateways staff will make appropriate arrangements with the respective institution(s).