Resources For The Engaged Parent

Funding Alert

• U.S. Department of Labor Announces Funding for Mentoring, Educational, and Employment Strategies to Improve Academic, Social, and Career Pathway Outcomes. The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, announced the availability of $34 million for grants to serve high schools that have been designated as persistently dangerous by State Educational Agencies for the 2008-2009 school year under section 9532 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The goal of these grants is to reduce violence within these schools through a combination of mentoring, education, employment, case management, and violence prevention strategies. To view the grant announcement, visit: http://www.doleta.gov/grants/pdf/SGA-DFA-PY-08-14.pdf. Deadline: September 22.
  
  
• U.S. Department of Labor Announces the Availability of Pathways Out of Poverty Grants. The U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, announced the availability of approximately $150 million in grant funds authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the Recovery Act) for projects that provide pathways out of poverty and into employment within industries described in the Supplementary Information, Part B of this Solicitation for Grant Application. To view the grant announcement, visit: http://www.doleta.gov/grants/pdf/SGA-DFA-PY-08-14.pdf. Deadline: September 29.
  
  
• U.S. Department of Labor Announces $220 million Competition to Fund Programs that Prepare Workers for Careers in Health Care Industry. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis announced a $220 million competition to fund projects that prepare workers for careers in the health care and other high growth industries. The competition will result in grants to fund public entities and private, nonprofit organizations to train individuals for careers in the health care fields of nursing, allied health, long-term care and health information technology. Training also will be provided for careers in other growing industries based on specific regional needs. Approximately $25 million of total funds will be reserved for projects serving communities impacted by automotive industry restructuring. To view the press release visit: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/eta/eta20090860.htm. To view the grant announcement, visit: http://www.doleta.gov/grants/pdf/SGA-DFA-PY-09-01.pdf. Deadline: October 5.

Mentoring: A Effective Way To Give Back

Calling African American Men to Mentor

President Barack Obama and Vice-President Joe Biden have challenged us to assist others who aspire to improve their lives. They have called upon all Americans to think beyond themselves and to find ways to make the lives of others better. In keeping with the spirit of President Obama and Vice-President Biden, I am calling upon all brothers to join in the efforts of Alpha Phi Alpha and give some time to mentor a young black male. National and state statistics confirm that children who are mentored are more likely to improve in school and in their relationships with family and peers.

These same students are 52% less likely to skip school and 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs. Students who are successful in school are less likely to drop out, become pregnant, abuse drugs or become involved in criminal activity. Additionally, students who have a mentor benefit in other ways:

• Have greater sense of security
• Opportunity to build and nurture a positive new relationship
• Presents an opportunity to develop communication skills when sharing personal experiences and ideas with mentor
• Exposure to diverse perspectives and experiences
• Exposure to an additional loving and caring adult
• Improved attitude regarding school and careers
• Improved behavior in school
• Willingness to accept challenges