Our Program
Mission Statement:
Our mission is to provide a nurturing environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and behaviorally. To accomplish this, we train our mentors to help students achieve in school, improve their leadership skills and self-esteem, develop cultural sensitivity, and learn civic responsibility through safe and fun program activities.
The Youth Support Program matches UC Berkeley students as mentors to students at Willard Middle School.
Our mentors must commit at least one year to working with a child in order to foster a stable, caring relationship. They volunteer three hours a week with their mentee, spending at least one hour on tutoring or homework help and two hours on mentoring activities such as talking, playing sports, hanging out at lunch or after school on campus, attending YSP events, and going on field trips.
Our mentors must commit at least one year to working with a child in order to foster a stable, caring relationship. They volunteer three hours a week with their mentee, spending at least one hour on tutoring or homework help and two hours on mentoring activities such as talking, playing sports, hanging out at lunch or after school on campus, attending YSP events, and going on field trips.
History
The Youth Support Program (YSP) was started by a group of enthusiastic UC Berkeley students who had a vision for affecting the lives of students in need. The group approached Kirk Hewett, the former Willard school psychologist, to discuss working with Willard students. Together they recognized that the Willard youth would be greatly benefited by pairings with consistent and dedicated mentors.
As a result of a joint effort between the UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare, Cal Corps, Willard Middle School and Bay Area Community Resources, YSP was formally established in 1994. Starting as a small dream, YSP has evolved into an organization that serves more than 400 participants. The program continues to grow in services as well as membership, having moved beyond merely providing support to promoting cultural and academic enrichment activities.
As a result of a joint effort between the UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare, Cal Corps, Willard Middle School and Bay Area Community Resources, YSP was formally established in 1994. Starting as a small dream, YSP has evolved into an organization that serves more than 400 participants. The program continues to grow in services as well as membership, having moved beyond merely providing support to promoting cultural and academic enrichment activities.