Peer Mentoring Project Begins Second Year

Baltimore, MD – The Mayor’s Office of Employment Development’s Youth Opportunity (YO!) initiative will host the kick-off banquet for the second year of its One 2 One Mentoring Program on Thursday, October 21, 2004 at the New Shiloh Baptist Church (2100 N. Monroe Street). Out-of-school youth who are successfully working in their career of choice or attending college serve as mentors for in-school youth who need support to make a successful transition into their future career pathways.

In addition to launching a series of get-acquainted activities, the keynote speaker at this event will be Selwyn Ray, director of Partner Recruitment and Outreach at the Maryland Mentoring Partnership. Additionally, St. Veronica’s Youth Steel Orchestra will perform as part of the One 2 One program’s community peer-to-peer exchange.

“Peer-to-peer mentoring has been very effective in helping our youth succeed. As we enter the second year of this important program, we know youth truly benefit from learning the ropes from another youth who has effectively overcome obstacles,” shared Michelle Thompson, manager of the FUTURES program, which supports youth at-risk of dropping out of school.

An initiative of the Baltimore Workforce Investment Board Youth Council, Mayor’s Office of Employment Development, and multiple workforce partners, YO! Baltimore increases the long-term employability of Empowerment Zone youth and young adults by offering a broad array of education, work-readiness and personal development resources and activities. Since YO! Baltimore began four years ago, more than 3,800 Empowerment Zone residents, ages 14 to 21, have become YO! members.

YO! Baltimore’s achievements during its first four years include:
o 376 have earned a high school diploma and 136 have earned their GED
o 208 are enrolled in college
o 234 have earned a career training credential
o 1,444 have been placed in employment, college or skills training

For additional information about this peer mentoring program or YO! Baltimore and its center locations, call 410-396-6722.