South Akron Youth Mentorship

SAYM BELIEVES THAT POVERTY MAY BECOME A TRAP WHICH FEW PEOPLE ESCAPE ON THEIR OWN. THE VISION OF SAYM IS TO SEE YOUTH IN THE CITY OF AKRON TRANSFORMED BY GRACE. SAYM BUILDS TRUSTED RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR YOUTH WHICH ALLOW TEACHING OF BIBLICAL VALUES, GOOD DECISION MAKING, AND ACCOUNTABILITY. THESE MENTORING INITIATIVES COUPLED WITH EDUCATION INITIATIVES PROVIDE THE MEANS FOR SUCCESS FOR THESE CHILDREN. SAYM YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM PROVIDES WORK EXPERIENCE AND CLASSROOM TRAINING FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. SAYM HAS ENJOYED A 100% SUCCESS RATE IN OUR YEP GRADUATES SECURING WORK IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. SAYM PROMOTES GIVING BACK AND SERVING OTHERS THROUGH OUR PARTICIPATION IN SERVICE PROJECTS IN THE COMMUNITY. SAYM HAS DEVELOPED PARTNERSHIPS IN THE COMMUNITY WITH CHURCHES, PARA CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS, COMMUNITY FOCUSED GROUPS, AND BUSINESSES. THIS NETWORK OF PARTNERSHIPS ENABLE A FUSION OF VISION AND EFFICIENCY TO DESIGN AND EXECUTE INITIATIVES TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY AND TO ACCOMPLISH OUR JOIN

MENTORING PROGRAM - SAYM OPERATES ON THE BELIEF THAT MENTORING AND EDUCATION INITIATIVES WORK TOGETHER, AND CAN FOSTER TRANSFORMATION IN THE STUDENTS BEHAVIORS, ATTITUDES, AND DECISION-MAKING SKILLS.. SAYM'S IMMEDIATE GOAL IS TO ESTABLISH A DESIRE FOR PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE AND HELP BUILD TOOLS WITHIN THE CHILD TO ENABLE THEM TO PURSUE AND ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS. SAYM'S GROUP MENTORING PROGRAMS ARE HELD THREE EVENINGS PER WEEK. BIBLE BASED LESSONS TEACH SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLES OF SUCCESS SUCH AS HONESTY, INTEGRITY, SELF-RESPECT, FAITH, AND LOVE. INDIVIDUAL MENTORING OR SHEPHERDING OCCURS DURING THE WEEK TO POUR INTO SAYM YOUTH LEADERS AND FUTURE LEADERS. SAYM TEACHES THERE IS A GOD, TO WHOM WE ALL ARE RESPONSIBLE; AND THAT GOD IS IN THE BUSINESS OF TRANSFORMING PEOPLE WHO PLACE THEIR FAITH AND TRUST IN HIM, AND WHO HONOR GOD BY THEIR CHOICES IN LIFE.

EDUCATION INITIATIVES - BEGINNING IN 2019, THE SAYM EDUCATION INITIATIVES INCLUDED A FORMAL TUTORING PROGRAM FOR OUR YOUTH AND MAINTAINS OUR SIGNATURE PROGRAM, ACADEMIC INCENTIVE FOR MENTEES OR AIM PROGRAM. THE AIM PROGRAM INCENTIVIZES OUR JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH STUDENTS TO PERFORM ACADEMICALLY, STUDENTS MUST MAINTAIN 75% ATTENDANCE IN MENTORING PROGRAMS, AND MAINTAIN GOOD CITIZENSHIP IN AND OUT OF SCHOOL. AIM CELEBRATION EVENINGS ARE BANQUET STYLE EVENTS WITH A SPEAKER FROM THE COMMUNITY, AND CASH INCENTIVES ARE HANDED OUT RECOGNIZING THE STUDENT IN FRONT OF THEIR PEERS AND SAYM LEADERS. THE AIM PROGRAM HAS BEEN HIGHLY POPULAR AMONG OUR STUDENTS AND SUCCESSFUL IN SEEING STUDENT ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IMPROVE.

THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM IS ANOTHER SIGNATURE PROGRAM OF SAYM. LACK OF WORK EXPERIENCE AND JOB SKILLS PLACE THE SAYM YOUTH AT A DISADVANTAGE TO SECURE EMPLOYMENT. THE SAYM YEP PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO CLOSE THIS GAP AND PROVIDE THE WORK EXPERIENCE AND TEACH THE WORK ETHIC AND JOB SKILLS NECESSARY FOR SUCCESS IN THE WORKFORCE. SAYM YOUTH ARE SELECTED FOR THE SIX MONTH WORK/TRAINING PROGRAM BASED ON INVESTMENT IN SAYM, GPA, CITIZENSHIP, SERVICE PROJECT PARTICIPATIONS, AND TEACHABLE ATTITUDE. THE YEP TRAINEES RECEIVE 15 HOURS OF CLASSROOM TRAINING WITH MODULES SUCH AS PERSONAL FINANCE, CONFLICT RESOLUTION, ANGER MANAGEMENT, JOB HUNTING PROCESS, AND WORK ETHIC UNDERSTANDING. YEP TRAINEES WORK 10 HOURS PER WEEK WITH SAYM PAYING THE TRAINEE'S WAGES AND ARE PLACED AT A LOCAL PARTNERED WORKPLACE. THE YEP TRAINEE GRADUATE RECEIVES A CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION, BINDER FOR LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION AND RESUME. YEP GRADUATES ARE AIDED IN SECURING PART TIME WORK IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.