March 11, 2014

Graduation Game Plan

Mentor Program

The Mayor's Office of Education Initiatives and the Houston Public Library are partnering with the Graduation Game Plan mentor program.  This free program connects students to resources that help prepare them to achieve their academic and career goals. Mentors meet with a small group of students for an hour and a half a week for four consecutive weeks. The Spring 2014 program will begin this March 24, 2014 and lasts until April 17, 2014.

Students who participate will receive guidance and support to graduate high school, prepare for life after high school, acquire workforce skills and manage their time effectively.  Working with mentors and the resources made available through the program, students create short-term and long-term education and career goals. To participate in the Graduation Game Plan mentor program, sign up at one of the libraries listed below:

• Park Place Regional Library: 8145 Park Place Boulevard Houston 77017 Mondays, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. (March 24, March 31, April 7 and April 14)
• Carnegie Neighborhood Library: 1050 Quitman Street Houston 77009 Mondays, 3:30 -5:00 p.m. (March 24, March 31, April 7 and April 14)
• McGovern-Stella Link Neighborhood Library: 7405 Stella Link Road Houston 77025 Mondays, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. (March 24, March 31, April 7 and April 14)
• Smith Neighborhood Library: 3624 Scott Street Houston 77004 Thursdays, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. (March 27, April 3, April 10 and April 17)
• Shepard-Acres Homes: 8501 West Montgomery Houston, TX 77088 Saturdays: March 29 (2:30p-4:00p) April 5 (11:00a-12:30p) April 12 (11:00a-12:30p) April 19 (1:30p-3:00p)
• Stanaker Neighborhood Library: 611 S-Sgt. Macario Garcia Drive Houston 77011 Tuesdays,    5:00 - 6:30 p.m. (March 25, April 1, April 8 and April 15)     

Volunteers will be provided with resource materials to guide a small group of students through the basic steps of high school graduation and preparing for college and/or careers.  Any adult who is interested in helping Houston students prepare for their futures are encouraged to become a mentor. Spanish and bilingual speakers are needed at many locations around the City. Learn more or sign up to become a mentor here. We still need volunteers at the following locations:

• Park Place Regional Library: 8145 Park Place Boulevard Houston 77017 Mondays, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. (March 24, March 31, April 7 and April 14)
• Carnegie Neighborhood Library: 1050 Quitman Street Houston 77009 Mondays, 3:30 -5:00 p.m. (March 24, March 31, April 7 and April 14)
• Shepard-Acres Homes: 8501 West Montgomery Houston, TX 77088 Saturdays: March 29 (2:30p-4:00p) April 5 (11:00a-12:30p) April 12 (11:00a-12:30p) April 19 (1:30p-3:00p)
• Stanaker Neighborhood Library: 611 S-Sgt. Macario Garcia Drive Houston 77011 Tuesdays, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. (March 25, April 1, April 8 and April 15)                 

To volunteer, sign up at:
https://www.houstontx.gov/education/mentor/index.html

For more information or to place your child on the participants list, contact:
Aarik Mickens-Dessaso, Office of Education Initiatives at 
Aarik.Mickens-Dessaso@houstontx.gov or 832.393.0993 (office)

The "After School Zone with the Graduation Game Plan" Mentor Program is a partnership between the City of Houston Department of Neighborhoods and the Houston Public Library.
To learn more about the Office of Education Initiatives, visit www.houstontx.gov/education

To learn more about the Department of Neighborhoods, visit www.houstontx.gov/neighborhoods

Additional volunteer opportunities in the City of Houston can be found at www.houstonservice.org.