Youth Mentorship Program Taking The Next Steps

Amy Meyer speaks to a gathered crowd about what it would take to start a youth mentoring program in Mahaska County.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – What would a youth mentorship program in Mahaska County be like, if it happened at all? Those were the basic questions being asked at an information meeting held Thursday evening at George Daily Auditorium.

Amy Meyer, Director at Mahaska County United Way, said she was happy with the way the meeting went well, with “energy and positivity”.

“It was just a lot of people with a lot of great ideas”, said Meyer. “Things we hadn’t thought of. Things we had thought of, but just needed support that we’re moving in the right direction.”

In earlier conversations, a 5-year sustainability plan would need to be in place to make sure the program started off successfully.

“The next step I think would be to decide who it’s going to fall under”, explained Meyer. “We’ve had some interest from the Y. We’ve had some interest from our own ISU Extension, but I think we need to bring all of those people into the room and say, okay, what would it look like here? What would it look like there? And then we just need to pull the trigger.”

Meyer believes there will be financial support for the program, and having the funds to sustain the project for 5 years is also a key factor in making the project become a reality.

With the financial dollars in place for that 5 year sustainability plan, organizers will then be able to determine how many pairings they would be able to sustain over that time.

Those costs are yet to be determined, and Meyer will be utilizing the expertise of those organizations who are already doing similar programs, knowing that cost is important for fundraising.

The question about why a program of this sort would cost anything, when it’s an adult taking the opportunity to include a young person in their life.

A staff member would be the greatest cost to the program. That person would help train mentors, and provide direction and guidance to mentors for those times that tough questions need answers.

Meyer said that if things go well, the plan would be to have this program in place and operating by the fall of 2017. “Based on where it’s housed, that will depend.”

If you would like to know more about the program, you can contact the Mahaska County United Way at 641.673.5499