Mentoring Alternative Perspective  Program

General Description

• Big Brothers Big Sisters will provide a community-based prevention and diversion mentoring program to serve minority youth between the ages of 5 and 18

Goal of Services

• To address the issue of the disproportionate minority contact in Hillsborough County by collaborating with juvenile justice and community stakeholders
• Connect minority youth with community mentors

General description of youth to be served

• Targeting youth residing in one of the identified high delingquency referral areas in Hillsborough County: 33610, 33604, 33612, 33619, 33617, 33605, 33511, 33569, 33607, 33614, 33615
• Targeted youth will be at the point of adjudication in the juvenile justice system or determined at-risk of juvenile delinquency
• Youth will be referred from the juvenile court system and the community

Role of the volunteer mentor

• Mentors commit to a child for a minimum of one year, nine hours a month
• Must complete a background screening, have an acceptable driving record, complete an in person interview, provide references and complete a 2-hour training class
• Volunteers will mentor youth in the juvenile justice system and help them successfully complete their court ordered requirements to deter further delinquent behavior. Court ordered requirements will vary, but may include,helpijng a child write court ordered letters to victims or court-ordered essays, comply with his/her community serive and-or help a child understand the implications of the behavior that ledt to their entry into the criminal justice system.

Contact Information

Big Brothers Big Sisters

Laura Prevatte, MAPP Coordinator

711 South Dale Mabry Hwy. Suite #300

Tampa, FL 33609

laura.prevatte@bbbsfl.org

813.769.3606 office/813.997.4709 cell