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Friends of Portsmouth Juvenile Ct. Awarded 3-Year Mentoring Grant

     The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Friends of the Portsmouth Juvenile Court (FRIENDS) $440,662 to support its Friend-to-Friend Mentoring program.  The grant, which is funded via the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities fund is for a three-year period with an initial award of $130,998. 

     It will focus on improving students' academic performance, interpersonal relationships, increasing parental involvement and reducing in-school suspensions and expulsions.
Based on several surveys conducted by FRIENDS, positive mentoring experiences have proven to be effective tools to help youth overcome risk factors that can lead to educational failure and involvement in delinquent activities. 
      According to research conducted by Mentor:  The National Mentoring Partnership, an estimated 15 million young Americans are waiting for mentors.  Right here in Virginia

Posted April 23, 2008

140,000 kids need mentors.  The US Department of Education award will allow FRIENDS to carve away at these numbers by serving more Portsmouth youth and their parents as well as recruiting and training additional mentors. 
      For more information on FRIENDS or details on becoming a mentor, contact Shawn Reid at 757-397-2799 extension 103.
      In addition to Friend-to-Friend Mentoring, FRIENDS runs Portsmouth CASA, a community service program for teenagers, Family Matters which offers parenting classes and a transportation program for families to visit incarcerated youth. 
Visit FRIENDS' website at www.fopjc.org.

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