Empowered Ambition Youth Development (EAYD)
Who: Young men and Boys of color in 4th to 12th grade
Where: Partnered school with Sims Fayola Foundation
When: 18 weeks Fall and Spring Cohorts
What: A best practice and evidence-informed social-emotional and character development initiative that equips them with the skills needed to make their futures look like their dreams. The EAYD Program engages young men in deep, reflective work using restorative practices, mental wellness, positive cultural identity, social and emotional learning (SEL) tenants, conflict resolution, mentoring, and goal-setting practices. This program can be implemented over one semester or the entire school year. The curriculum is grounded in Positive Youth Development (PYD) and the best practices of mentoring, mentoring young men of color, positive racial identity, and culturally aligned pedagogical practices.
Empowerment Zone
Who: Young men ages 11-25
Where: Sims-Fayola Foundation Office
When: 18 weeks Fall and Spring Cohorts
What: The overarching goal of our Sims-Fayola Empowerment Zone is to assist young and adult males in increasing their capacity to be better stewards of their choices, careers, mental wellness and ultimately their lives while developing into positive culturally aware and emotionally healthy individuals. The core of the SFEZ is based on the concept and principles of positive youth development (PYD). Traditionally, youth justice interventions focused on youth offenders' problems and deficits. The program will be addressing the school-to-prison pipeline at the intersection of education and the juvenile justice system, SFEZ sessions will be delivered over 18 weeks, 120-minute sessions. SFEZ will be implemented on Saturdays in two-hour sessions in three cohorts of no more than 15 males. Under each classification type, there will be a cohort for young men between the ages of 11-17 and a cohort for men between the ages 18-25.
Commitment: 18 weeks once a week on Saturdays for two-hour sessions
Community Mentoring Program (CMP)
Who: Young Men and Boys of Color Ages 9 – 18 years old
Where: Sims-Fayola Foundation Office and locations within the community
When: One Saturday morning per month for 3 hours What: The Community Mentorship Program (CMP) is our mentoring program for young men and boys of color from the general community. CMP is an in-person mentoring program focused on leadership and character development, restorative principles, positive racial and academic identity, and social-emotional learning (SEL) for young men between 9-18. Mentors and mentees meet monthly for three hours over 12 months.
Commitment: 1 Year for 3 hours commitment prior to the mentor-mentee match.
Community Virtual Mentoring Program (CVMP)
Who: Young Men Ages 9 - 18 years old Where: Online; Through Zoom
When: Bi-weekly for 1 hour
What: The Community Virtual Mentorship Program (CVMP) is our mentoring program for young men and boys of color from the general community. CVMP is an online mentoring program focused on leadership and character development, restorative principles, positive racial and academic identity, and social-emotional learning (SEL) for young men between 9-18. Mentors and mentees meet twice monthly over 12 months.
Commitment: 24 weeks
Fayola Man Career Academy (FMCA)
Who: Young Men and Boys of Color Ages 11 – 18 years old
Where: Locations within the community
When: 15 weeks either in the Spring or Fall
What: For 15 weeks in the Fall and 15 weeks in the Spring, we expose 30 boys of color to careers and industries that are underrepresented by people of color. During the summer, our team identifies careers and industries that are underrepresented by people of color and form win-win partnerships that provide our young men exposure and access and provide pipeline cultivation, opportunities for paid internships, and opportunities for shadow days for our industry partners. We have partnered with Oil and Gas, Drone Aviation, Airport Management, Aviation, Robotics, Jewelry, Outdoor Career, Equestrian, Financial, Law Enforcement (FBI), Professional Golf, Media, Politics/Public Service, and Manufacturing industries. During three hours sessions over 15 Saturdays, the young men and their parents engage in a pre-planned
experience with the hosting industry at their site to learn about the industry in general, career opportunities within the industry, engage in a hands-on OJT experience and have a Q&A lunch with the industry host. Afterward, our foundation provides the young men with a survey that allows them to give us feedback on their experience and new learnings and rate their interest in that industry as a career. We follow up with the host for internship and shadow opportunities when interest is indicated. If an
internship or shadow opportunity arises, we assist in providing transportation if needed. Finally, as part of this initiative, we provide young men with resume writing and editing experiences, mock interviewing opportunities, and interview skills training.
Commitment: 15 weeks in the Fall or Spring
Fayola Man Summer Leadership Academy
Who: Young Men and Boys of Color Ages 9 – 14 years old
Where: Schools within the Community
When: Summer (June-August)
What: Fayola Academy is a four-week leadership camp for young men in grades 6-12. Fayola Academy is designed to focus on improving the life outcomes of young men by engaging them in social-emotional skill development, mental and physical wellness, entrepreneurship, character development, financial literacy, STEM activities, leadership, and academic readiness. Partnering with other community-based organizations, we provide young men with the tools to make their futures look like their dreams.
Commitment: 6-8 weeks in the Summer
After-School Program
Who: Young men and boys of color in 3rd to 8th grade
Where: Montbello Middle School
When: September to June
What: A best practice and evidence-informed social-emotional and character development initiative that equips young men with the skills needed to shape their futures according to their dreams. The Afterschool program engages participants in deep, reflective work through restorative practices, mental wellness, positive cultural identity, social and emotional learning (SEL) tenets, conflict resolution, mentoring, and goal-setting strategies. The program also emphasizes physical wellness and literacy tutoring, supporting participants in developing a healthy lifestyle and strengthening their reading and comprehension skills. This program is implemented over the entire school year. The curriculum is grounded in Positive Youth Development (PYD) and incorporates the best practices of mentoring, mentoring young men of color, positive racial identity, and culturally aligned pedagogical approaches.