“Empowering Futures: Fort Valley State University Launches Exciting Mentorship Program for After-School Students!”
Fort Valley Youth Center of Excellence says it’ll be an opportunity for their students to learn about different careers, while training future educators.
PEACH COUNTY, Ga. — The Fort Valley Youth Center of Excellence has announced an exciting new collaboration with Fort Valley State University, dubbed “Project Wildcat.”
Through this initiative, students from the College of Education and Professional Studies will apply their classroom knowledge to mentor children in aftercare programs on a weekly basis.
CEO Belinda Baker emphasizes that this partnership is beneficial for both the university and the nonprofit organization. She believes it provides valuable opportunities for future first-generation college students to consider pursuing higher education after high school.
“Many of these children come from families where no one has attended college, and where high school is often the highest level of education achieved,” Baker noted. “This program allows them to engage in one-on-one conversations, helping them realize that college is a real possibility.”
Travis Barnes, a junior at FVSU majoring in middle grades education, expressed his enthusiasm for being part of this initiative. “This experience will provide me with valuable exposure to working with kids and help me understand their learning processes, including reading and fundamental skills,” he shared.
Baker hopes that mentorship from students like Barnes will inspire the children in the after-school program. “This is an incredible opportunity to broaden their horizons and enable them to dream big, with our support helping to turn those dreams into reality,” she said.
Beth Day-Hairston, Dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies at FVSU, added that this initiative will serve as a training ground for their students. “It allows our candidates to engage in tutoring, mentoring, and building relationships with families,” she said.
FVSU students will work alongside university instructors, who will serve as assistant teachers throughout Project Wildcat.
Baker highlighted the collaborative nature of the project, stating, “I see this as an opportunity for my team to learn from them in the classroom, adopting their techniques while supporting them, as we all work together.”
The program’s success will be assessed through data tracking over the next year, with hopes of expanding the initiative to include other departments and colleges at FVSU.
Barnes expressed his desire to maintain connections with the students even after the program concludes. “I want to build lasting relationships with these kids and look forward to returning to do more activities with them,” he said, citing his philosophy of growth alongside his students.
Baker also mentioned that they are actively seeking more younger participants for the after-school program, particularly middle school students, and noted that transportation will be provided for those enrolled in Peach County schools.
The partnership began with a signing of a memorandum of understanding, followed by a joint open house event held on Thursday.