Employment Works

Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program

Program Description

The Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP) is a high tech career-focused mentoring program for youth with disabilities involved with or at-risk of becoming involved with the juvenile justice system. The RAMP model utilizes a combination of group, peer, and one-on-one mentoring to promote the successful transition of RAMP youth to employment, continued learning opportunities, and independent living.

Youth participate in weekly career preparation-focused group meetings, including peer-supported goal setting and exploration of careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). While in RAMP, youth have the opportunity to: assess and explore their own career interests; develop a plan and set goals for their transition; create a resource map of their community’s high tech industries; participate in weekly group and peer-to-peer mentoring; gain workplace soft skills; build resume-writing and interviewing skills; interact with employers and experience a variety of work settings; give and receive peer support; take advantage of group and personal leadership opportunities; design and build a high tech-related team project, and most importantly… have fun!

Role of the Mentor

-Take the lead in supporting a young person through an ongoing, one-to-one relationship
-Serve as a positive role model and friend
-Build the relationship by planning and participating in activities together
-Strive for mutual respect
-Build self-esteem and motivation
-Help set goals and work toward accomplishing them

-Make a one-year commitment
-Attend at least 2 weekly group meetings a month (group meetings are about 1 hour in length)
-Attend a two-hour one-on-one mentor/mentee session with matched mentee once per quarter
-Communicate with the mentee weekly
-Attend an initial training session, as well as at least one additional training session during

each year of participation in the program
-Attend optional mentor/mentee group events, support groups, and program recognition events

-Be at least 21 years old
-Be interested in working with young people
-Be willing to adhere to all program policies and procedures
-Be willing to complete the application and screening process
-Attend mentor orientation sessions as prescribed
-Be willing to communicate regularly with program staff, submit activity information,

and take constructive feedback regarding mentoring activities
-Have access to an automobile; have auto insurance and a good driving record
-Have a clean criminal history
-Not use illicit drugs
-Not use alcohol or controlled substances in an inappropriate manner
-Not currently be in treatment for substance abuse and have a non-addictive period of at least

For additional information please contact Jamie Youngblood at jyoungblood@cpco.org