The future of the youth is controlled by their life experiences
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>View discussions about this entry Country: United States
Organization: Hervey Foundation
Sport - Running
Year the initative began (yyyy) - 2007
Project URL: http//www.herveyfoundation.com
Positioning in the Mosaic of solutions
What is your signature innovation, your new idea, in one sentence? - Provide youth with positive role models who will be part of their life from ages 10 and beyond.
Describe your innovation. What makes your idea unique and different than others doing work in the field? - My idea is based on Biblical principles. We have tried everything else with minimal success, why not try faith.
What are the existing barriers, the biggest problem, your innovation is hoping to address/change? - Soceity wants to create change for youth at a global level and give at a global level response. What society has failed to realize is that the grassroots organization are in the trenches everyday attempting to help youth, one family at a time. You may experience the impact, now; but the impact is there. The biggest challenge is obtaining the proper funds. Sadly to say you have money to get money.
Delivery Model: How do you implement your innovation and apply it to the challenge/problem you are addressing? - I talk with parents, schools and individuals about the youth who are having difficulty and then I offer them the Hervey Foundation Mentoring Program, free of charge.
How do you plan to grow your innovation? - I plan to reach as many youth as possible by talking with more parents and schools.
Provide one sentence describing your impact/intended impact. - The Hervey Foundation Mentoring Program more youth are finding success academically and socially.
What impact has your innovation had to date/or what is your intended impact? Exactly who are the beneficiaries? - The beneficiaries of our mentoring program is the youth and the parents. Today we have had three youth graduate from high school and each year we have 1-2 youth graduate with the plan of going to college.
The parents and youth are finding help that enhances the parent/child relationship within the home. Youth who have mentors are doing better academically, socially and are working on solutions together as a team to resolve issues the youth faces.
Please list any other measures reflective of the impact of your innovation? - Our program offers tutorial services, cultural/educational programs, scholarships, support services for youth and parents free of charge and a family fund to assist parents in establishing a financial plan.
What are the main barriers to creating or achieving your impact? - Funding is the only area creating barriers from me achieving the desired impact. I have the individuals in place, but the funding is limited.
How is your initiative financed (or how do you expect your initiative will be financed)? - The Hervey Foundation is financed by the board members, family and friends; with a few mini grants from organizations in Missouri. These funds assist temporarily with the rent, utilities and allows us to pay for tutorial services for the youth.
If known, provide information on your finances and organization. - Please list: Annual budget, annual revenue generated, size of part-time, full-time and volunteer staff. There is only one person who works in the office, which is the president and she is not paid. With the proper funding the Foundation can hire the Program Administrator, the Executive Director and move forward in doing what we all love to do., which is working with at risk/high risk youth.
What is the potential demand for your innovation? - Parents are my best advertisers because they are telling their friends, family members, co-workers about our program. The Foundation receives 1-2 referrals.
What are the main barriers to financial sustainability? - The main barriers to financial sustainability is finding a organization and/or person who will believe in what we are doing and he/she will allow our organization to demonstrate to them the dynamics of stretching the dollar to help youth in need. I know people don't know the Hervey Foundation, but we are good stewards. We had to be with the money before the mini grants or we would not have recieved those grants.
What is the origin of this innovation? Tell us your story. - As an educator I saw a need. There were too many babies having babies. Education alone could not address this issue and something needed to be done. I had to get involved and make an impact on the lives of the youth and their parents. My family and I discussed what can we could do to give back to society because God has richly blessed our lives and we decided through prayer to create the Hervey Foundation.
At first it was originally going to be mentoring only, but the needs for the youth and parents were so great that we had to implement other programs to meet the emotional, physical and spiritual needs. The idea is there were too many variables in the youth life, which would hinder the mentor/mentee relationship. Therefore we incorporated other programs like tutorial service to assistance youth who lack the academic skills for success. The scholarships for those youth who are doing well in school. Support Services a support group with qualified facilitators who work with the youth one-on-one and in group settings to provide suggestions and ideas for the family. The Educationa/Cultural program to take the youth on excursions that goes beyond the neighborhood to a broader world. The Family Fund which provides a financial consultant to work with parents and youth to help them understand money and use it wisely. Please provide a personal bio. Note this may be used in Changemakers marketing material. - Dr. Rita Hervey
I have a B.A. from St. Louis University. I have worked for the Special School District in St. Louis, Missouri for 18 years as a paraprofessional, with youth who had significant emotional and mental problems. I am mother of three adult children. Each child is successful in their own rite. As president of the Hervey Foundation I am determined with God's help to do whatever I can to help the youth in Missouri. I have to make a difference in their lives. Contact Information:
Rita Hervey
President Hervey Foundation (Mentoring Program for youth ) Discussions about this entry |
Hi,
My name is Vijay Patankar; I live and work in Sydney, Australia. I am also the creator and presenter of the Study Skills Program that inspires and motivates young adults to excel at school and in life.
In this program I teach both study and life skills. Over the years I realized that motivation and faith is not enough when these adults who are going through the rough teenage years.
Faith and self belief is the first thing that they need to develop and to focus on.
Some educators and academics believe that these young adults need motivation and I agree with them. But in my view motivation by itself is not enough, along with motivation they will need to learn and master core study or trade skills.
Once they learn and understand, why education is important and how to study effectively, they can progress much faster at school and go much further. Their grades will improve, their self-esteem and self confidence will surge.
After this point they are less drawn to anti social activities.
No matter how small our efforts we can make a difference in this world.
All the very best with your project, when we all put our attention and focus on the solutions then it starts to work out.
Vijay Patankar
creator and presenter of the Study and Life Skills Program
www.studyskills.com.au
Hi,
My name is Vijay Patankar; I live and work in Sydney, Australia. I am also the creator and presenter of the Study Skills Program that inspires and motivates young adults to excel at school and in life.
In this program I teach both study and life skills. Over the years I realized that motivation and faith is not enough when these adults who are going through the rough teenage years.
Faith and self belief is the first thing that they need to develop and to focus on.
Some educators and academics believe that these young adults need motivation and I agree with them. But in my view motivation by itself is not enough, along with motivation they will need to learn and master core study or trade skills.
Once they learn and understand, why education is important and how to study effectively, they can progress much faster at school and go much further. Their grades will improve, their self-esteem and self confidence will surge.
After this point they are less drawn to anti social activities.
No matter how small our efforts we can make a difference in this world.
All the very best with your project, when we all put our attention and focus on the solutions then it starts to work out.
Vijay Patankar
creator and presenter of the Study and Life Skills Program
www.studyskills.com.au
University of Southern California
Faith is definitely going to be a contributing factor to your future success. Both your faith in the youth that you mentor, as well as your faith that God will provide for your needs. I know that there are many mentoring programs currently across the country, what steps are you taking to help differentiate your program from others like it? Sometimes potential donors are so bombarded with similar programs, it is difficult for them to identify any one that particularly grabs them, so they end up donating based on factors other than the services that are being provided (like proximity to their hometown, the program's affiliation with larger organizations, etc.). Also, have you considered having volunteer tutors? This would alleviate some of the costs that are being directed in this area. Keep up the good work and be encouraged that positive changes are not only made on large scales, but on small scales as well.
Best wishes