Minnesota Alliance With Youth

Communities and schools are invited to apply to host AmeriCorps Promise Fellows –

Get the process started with a Letter of Intent, Due December 15^th

Minnesota is in the middle of a “perfect storm.” At the same time baby boomers are leaving the workforce, we also see major changes in youth demographics. Youth of color and low income youth make up a growing percentage of total school-age children, yet many of these youth are most at-risk of dropping out. If we are to adequately prepare a highly trained workforce and remain economically solvent as a state, we need to turn the tide. Dropping out of school is a process, not a one-day event. Using the research on early warning signs, we can identify the youth most at risk and use evidence-based intervention strategies to prevent youth from dropping out.  The backgrounds of youth at-risk of dropping out are also mirrored in Minnesota’s large academic achievement gap between students of color and white students, and low income students and middle income students.

We know that when communities come together, they can meet the challenges of the dropout crisis head on – but it often requires the added capacity of staff to support their efforts. AmeriCorps Promise Fellows serve for one year with schools and organizations across Minnesota to mobilize volunteers, create new after-school programs, build mentoring and tutoring initiatives, and engage youth in service-learning. Over the past five years, communities and school districts have faced steep budget cuts. AmeriCorps members allow schools and communities to pilot strategies and programs on a small and cost-efficient scale, and then seek long-term local funding. Promise Fellows receive significant training and experience that helps grow and strengthen the youth development field in Minnesota. The Alliance provides this resource to communities through AmeriCorps Promise Fellows.

The Minnesota Alliance With Youth invites schools, community organizations, and government agencies to consider hosting an AmeriCorps Promise Fellow in 2011-2012.  Supported by a School-Community Partnership, Promise Fellows focus on youth who are most at risk of dropping out of school and who are disengaged from the community. Promise Fellows provide a year of service and work to:

–Mobilize caring adults to act as tutors, mentors, allies, advocates

–Engage youth in high quality in and out of school time activities

–Organize and engage youth in service-learning and civic engagement opportunities

For complete information on the application process, including letter of intent instructions and a calendar of the full application process, please review this document.

For more information, contact Melissa Burwell, Director of Strategic Initiatives, mburwell@mnyouth.net, 651-528-8561

Please Note: Complete Host Site Application Information, including the updated Request for Proposals will be available in early December.