Making After-School Cool Podcast

Part 2: The Influence Of Positive Mentoring Programs on Youth

Today’s episode of the Making After School Podcast is part 2 of my interview with Dipin Bhakata, Co-Area Leader of The US Dream Academy in Houston, TX. We continue or discussion on the power positive mentoring programs can have on youth. The U.S. Dream Academy helps children reach for their dreams through academic, social, and values enrichment. The agency empowers children impacted by parental incarceration to believe in themselves and to succeed.

For more Information contact:

Dipen Bhakta

Co-Area Leader

Email: dbhakta@usdreamacademy.org

The Power of Positive Mentorship

Today’s episode of the Making After School Podcast focuses on the power of positive mentoring programs can have on youth.  Mentorship programs, both formally and informally have been around for centuries. Be it in the form of apprenticeships, coaching, teaching or parenting, mentors play a crucial role in the development of youth. One such program that is doing this type of work is the US Dream Academy. I am fortunate to have has my guest today on the Making After School Cool Podcast is Dipen Bhakata, Co-Area Leader of The US Dream Academy in Houston, TX.

Mental Health and Self-Care Strategies For OST Professionals

This episode of the Making After School Podcast focuses on self-care and proper mental health care strategies for adults and professionals working with youth in either education, social work, youth programing or as mentors. My guest today is Ms. Nichole Milton with Mental health America of Greater Houston.

During this podcast you will learn more regarding:

1. The connection between a person’s mental health and the impact it could have on their physical health
2. Why good self-care practices are important for a person’s personal and professional life
3. Examples of healthy self-care practices

Resources

Nichole Milton - nmilton@mhahouston.org

Mike Wilson - mwilson@hcde-texas.org

 

Teaching Youth Financial Literacy Featuring Sterling Mark

For many youths, being a successful adult is often viewed in a lens primarily associated with making a large amount of money.  Although low-income youth may not personally know people who are successful in business, acting or athletics, these professions are very attractive to kids because the benefactors appear well compensated. Having a wide knowledge on financial literacy allows youth to think rationally and make effective decisions on financial use and management (ANZ Bank, 2008; Van Rooij et al., 2011).

During this episode you will hear more about:

• Kidprenur Dreams: Exploring Money and Emotions and the Coloring Book: a World of Creative and learning
• Why is it import for parents, youth and out of school time staff be knowledgeable regarding help youth be aware of financial literacy
• Some of the biggest mistakes youth fall into regarding make sound financial decisions. 
• The best age youth should practice sound money management

Preparing Youth for Natural or Sudden Disastrous Events

The topic of this episode of the Making After School podcast, is, "Preparing Youth for Natural or Sudden Disastrous Events." To speak on this topic is my guest, Mr. Jeremy Foster,  with the Office of School Safety and Security with Harris County Department of Education Center for Safe and Secure Schools.

During this podcast you will learn the following:

• Steps parents can take help dimmish the fears of their children who may be facing their first natural disaster.
• Suggestions for help kids understand the differences between terms such as Hurricane Warning and Hurricane Watch,
• Suggestions after school programs or youth centers regarding plannng for to  severe weather like flash floods and tornadoes?
• Steps care givers can take to help youth recover from any emotionally fears or distress they may have experienced caused from natural disasters?

Resources:

Mike Wilson - Mwilson@hcde-texas.org

Jeremy Foster - Jeremy.Foster@hcde-texas.org

 

Parental Involvement Influence on After School Programs’ Service Delivery

Over the last decade, the emergence of after school programs, either school based or community-based programs, have changed parents’ expectations of their children’s experiences during non-school hours.

To address this issue, is my guest Dr. Jesus Campos, who is a Data Analyst/Research Coordinator, with the Research and Evaluation Institute of Harris County Department of Education. 

During this podcast you will learn more about:

• HCDE’ Research and Evaluation department,
• The type of research/data they evaluate,
• The Community Partnership Model
• How parents' participation in afterschool or out school time programs is positively corelated with their overall satisfaction with the program

Resources

Mike Wilson can be reached at mwilson@hcde-texas.org

Dr. Jesus Campos can be reach at jesus.campos@hcde-texas.org

 

The Positive Influence of Male Mentors Featuring Keith Corenelius

Today’s topic focuses on the influence a positive male role model can have on at risk minority boys. According to research there are three strategies frequently used with developing male mentoring programs. They include some form of rites of passages, social responsibility training, and introduction to successful men. Therefore, the focus of this episode of the Making After School Cool podcast highlights the work of Mr. Keith Cornelius, the current Director of the Urban Enrichment Institute, and an advocate for male mentorship.

 During this episode you will hear about:

1. What motivate men to be mentors
2. Why it is important for teenaged males, to have a caring mentor in their lives
3. How to recruit mentors, and do you look for a particular skill set for mentors
4. How are the students identified and selected to participate in the program

JC Pohl with Teen Truth

Today’s topic focuses on building a supportive environment that address the concerns and issues faced by youth in today’s multifaceted society.  My guest today is Mr. JC Pohl of Teen Truth. JC Pohl is an award-winning producer, nationally recognized speaker, and certified counselor who has reached over 12 million people in 8,000+ schools.

During this Episode you will learn more about the following:

 1. What motivated JC to start Teen Voice?

2. How to identify and recruit who are willing to share their experiences

3. What can be learned listing to youth voice?

4. Why is it important for youth to have vehicles to develop their own unique voice?

Reaching Youth in OST Programs: Featuring Mr. Dupree Jackson

Today’s topic of the Making After School Cool Podcast focuses on the power of building quality relationship with youth in OST programs. There is currently an explosion of research based on the need & interest in after-school programs. According to research published in the American Journal of Community Psychology “More Than Attendance: The Importance of After School Program Quality (Barton J. Hirsch • Megan A. Mekinda • Julie Ann Stawick, 2010)”

The rationale for these programs may include supporting working parents; enhancing school reform initiatives; providing mentors to young people; and/or providing youth with a voice in programs.  Today's episode highlights the work of my guest today, Mr. Emanuel “Dupree” Jackson, Founder and Executive Director of the EJS Project, a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization which a focus on building and empowering our future leaders.

During this podcast you will learn more about:

1. This history of the EJS Project
2. Offering services that are attracted to youth.
3. The importance of community involvement and support a successful program.
4. Suggestions for mentoring youth?

The Power of Poetry

This episode of the Making After School Cool Podcast focuses on the Power of Poetry and the Spoken Word. Since, 1996, the month of April has been designated as National Poetry Month. This distinction reminds the public that poets have an integral role to play in our culture and that poetry matters. My guest today is a poet in the Houston area, Ms. Jo-Ann Blanchard. Ms. Blanchard has been writing since the age of 10 and is an advocate of domestic violence prevention and intervention.  During this podcast you will learn more about the following:

1. How Ms. Blanchard started to get recognized as a poet
2. How to develop poems
3. Overcoming the fear of sharing writings with others?
4. Overcoming Writers’ Block
5. How can the written word help youth struggling with mental health issues.

Resources

Mike Wilson – mwilson@hcde-texas.org

Ms. Jo Anne Blanchard – jahsayblancard@gmail.com

Harris County Department of Education – www.hcde-texas.org

CASE for Kids - www.hcde-texas.org/afterschoolzone