Senate Appropriations – Youth Mentoring Grant Program Outreach
Provided by MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership
Sample phone script for Senate calls (June 3, 2014)
Call the Capitol Switchboard to be connected to your Senators’ offices: (202) 244-3121.
My name is [INSERT NAME] and I am a constituent from [INSERT TOWN/CITY]. I’m calling about the CJS (Commerce, Justice, Science) appropriations bill. Can I please speak with the legislative aide responsible for that work?
If yes, you’ll be connected to the aide or their voice mail. If no, the person who answered the phone will take a message. (If you prefer, ask for the aide’s e-mail address and send them a message, as well.)
What to say:
My name is [INSERT NAME] and I am a constituent from [INSERT TOWN/CITY]. [DESCRIBE YOUR INVOLVMENT IN MENTORING: I WORK AT A MENTORING PROGRAM, OR I AM A MENTOR AT XYZ]
I’m calling to strongly encourage Senator [INSERT NAME] to support $100 million for the Youth Mentoring Grants program in the CJS appropriations bill.
The Youth Mentoring Grant program is the only remaining mentoring-specific program funded by the federal government. This important program provides grant awards for high quality mentoring programs serving at-risk youth across the country.
In May, the House Appropriations Committee approved $90 million for the program – but that is not enough and this is why:
Mentoring is proven to help kids on their path to graduation and successful adulthood – that benefits our communities and our economy. But one in three young people will grow up without a mentor.
We need these critical funds to expand quality mentoring and connect more of our youth to mentors.
That’s why I’m asking Senator [INSERT NAME] to support $100 million for the Youth Mentoring Grants program in the FY15 appropriations bill.
Thank you.
Be sure to share your contact information so the aide can contact you.
After calling both of your Senators, please send an e-mail to Abbie Evans at MENTOR () with a brief summary of your calls. THANK YOU!
Youth Mentoring Grant (YMG):
- The program is managed by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) at the Department of Justice.
- The Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations (CJS) bill provides funding for the program.
- In FY14 (the current federal fiscal year), the YMG program was funded at $88.5 million. The year before it was funded at $90 million.
- In March, MENTOR and a coalition of youth mentoring advocates called on Congress to fund the Youth Mentoring Grant program at $100 million in the FY15 CJS appropriations bill.
- In April, the House Appropriations committee approved $90 million. The Senate Appropriations committee will vote in June.
- We ask the Senate Committee to approve $100 million.
Talking Points
- Since FY12, the Senate appropriation for the Youth Mentoring Grant program has fallen significantly below the House-recommended level.
- OJJDP's Youth Mentoring Grants program is the only federal program exclusively devoted to mentoring at-risk youth.
- The Administration eliminated other federal mentoring programs in past budgets (school-based mentoring and the Mentoring Children of Prisoners programs).
- While the White House often highlights and elevates mentoring as a key to healthy development, academic achievement, workforce development and a thriving society, the President’s FY15 budget unfortunately cuts funding for the Youth Mentoring Grant program by 35%.
- Mentoring is an effective way of keeping youth out of the juvenile justice system and guiding them into becoming productive members of society.
- Mentoring is an effective positive intervention tool that should be integrated into relevant solutions to address school drop-out rates, high school graduation rates, higher-education aspiration and completion rates, delinquency prevention and workforce development.
- At-risk young adults who had a mentor were 55% more likely to be enrolled in college than those who did not have a mentor.
- At-risk youth who had a mentor are more than twice as likely to hold a leadership position in a club, sports team, school council, or another group.
- At-risk youth who had a mentor are 78% more likely to volunteer regularly in their communities.
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