Education Issue: Promoting Post-Secondary Education for Economically Disadvantaged Youth; CNCS AmeriCorps and Learn & Serve America

Campus Corps (CC) is an innovative campus-based mentoring program developed in response to a community need to decrease youth involvement in the juvenile justice system and school failure. In 2009, Learn and Serve provided funding for the development and piloting of the CC program. In 2012, CC received the prestigious Instructional Innovation in Service-Learning Award from Colorado State University. CC has 97 AmeriCorps slots which accounts for 62% of all CSU members. This award, the results of their program evaluation, and their high number of AmeriCorps participation are testament to the excellence of the CC program.

CC pairs student mentors with local youth (age 10-18) who have been referred by the juvenile justice system, community agencies, and school counselors. Mentoring involves both one-on-one and group mentoring for youth one night a week from 4-8 pm. Student mentors provide a positive, safe place to develop meaningful relationships. Pairs engage in structured activities (i.e. sports, art, music) that emphasize social skill development, education success (i.e. tutoring), and civic engagement (i.e., public achievement). The mentor pairs enjoy a family style meal delivered by the Foodbank. The structure of the program has significant benefits for youth, students, and community.

Evidence-based best practices for mentoring serve as the foundation for CC, including: operating outside of youths' school; mentors who are committed to helping, carefully selected, well trained and supervised; youth and their family participation in an intake to set goals, select a mentor (based on shared interests), and learn about the CC program; frequent mentoring contact and structured activities; activities that integrate what is being learned with developmental assets; and support for parents and families is provided by a dedicated case manager. All of these practices are important components of mentoring and have positive impacts on disadvantaged youth. Since launching CC in the spring of 2010, over 750 CSU students have served as mentors and leaders in the program for over 550 local youth. Many pairs have been involved in the program for multiple semesters and have taken on leadership roles in the program.

Program evaluation indicates that CC youth show improved grades, attendance, attitudes about school, reduced substance use and delinquent behaviors, improved future orientation, stronger self-efficacy, and more positive social interactions with family and peers. These outcomes are directly linked with improving preparation and prospects of success in post-secondary education. Multiple strategies are utilized to ensure educational success. These include identifying problem areas in school (i.e. failing grades, truancy) are targeted in goal setting. Mentors check youths' grades and attendance weekly. Also, mentors come from over 40 majors, so mentees receive individualized assistance in any subject. CC's program allows youth to spend time on a campus exposing them to college, majors, and promotes post-secondary education. Lastly, CC offers opportunities to learn about financial aid and scholarships for college. CC aims to promote graduation rates through a focus on educational success and decreasing delinquent behavior and substance use. CC has greatly benefited our community and is very deserving of this award.