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Stay tuned for the City of Fresno’s Drop-Out Prevention Committees’ Mentoring Plan

Call for Mentoring
In response to the limited access to class time, and an increased emphasis on research-based practice, schools have begun to implement the science of Youth Development. This strategy utilizes the Resiliency research of Bonnie Benard and Emmie Werner, as well as the assets based research associated with the Search Institute in Minnesota. In essence, this strength-based, youth development approach stresses that certain experiences help young people to develop fully and successfully. These include close relationships with caring adults, high expectations, engaging activities, and opportunities to make a difference to others. Our job consequently, is to build continuity of support in every setting in which our students live, work, and study.

Our experience suggests this approach removes prevention efforts from disparate boxes, and merges them into a series of efforts designed to create a well person. In other words if we focus on young people and their strengths (assets), we are helping them to be well in the face of alcohol, gangs, drugs, early sexual experimentation, teen pregnancy, dropping out of school, and other symptoms of marginalized, disenfranchised youth. Conversely if we address each issue just mentioned with a separate set of skills and information, we fragment efforts, dilute our message, and confuse our constituents.

These are difficult issues to bridge between school personnel charged with student wellness, and the treatment community that sees first hand the destruction substance usage has created. There was common ground however, regarding the need to avoid the proverbial “one-shot presentations” or what one individual described as “drive-by consulting.” Everyone agreed that our efforts must not be based on a single visit to a school even though there was not a general consensus regarding the methodology employed.

Towards this end, a participant offered an excellent bridge when he suggested that we focus on schools within FUSD that have or are developing a system of school wide mentoring and support.

Drug Free Fresno Speaker's Bureau - Call 621-CITY for more information on how to book.

Alan Autry - Mayor, Actor, Athlete - Mayor Autry has an amazing life story including rebuilding his life after experiencing the lows of drug and alcohol abuse.

Jeff Eben - Educator, Author, Community Leader - Tells of recovery from a catastrophic event by using the power of Hope.

Liz Milam - A local celebrity, Liz speaks first hand of the devastation drug abuse can bring on parents and the family.

Flindt Anderson - local businessman, father, husband, coach, …drug addict? - Hear Flindt's story of recovery entitled "Don't Hide The Scars".