Purpose

To provide individual strategies for youth to reach their potential goals through mentoring, exposure, opportunities, education, and community involvement.

Goals and Objectives

• Provide a positive role model, by way of one-on-one mentoring
• Serve as an alternative to Secure Detention

• Improve academic performance

• Enhance job search skills
• Improve parental empowerment
• Reduce recidivism

Duration of Program

Juveniles remain in the program for at least six (6) months.

Eligibility Criteria 

The HYPE Mentoring Program is open to juveniles age 8 to 17 years old who:

• Have been adjudicated and ordered to participate by either the Hampton or Newport News Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court
• Are referred by an Intake Officer or Probation Officer from the Cities of Newport News or Hampton
• Are referred by Newport News Department of Human Services

• Are referred by Newport News Public School Staff 

Juveniles must be offenders who have exhibited no aggressive behavior, are not sexual offenders, and have not been diagnosed with a personality disorder.

Further, the juvenile's parents must attend the program's parenting and support group and his/her family must commit to keeping the child in an educational program.  The participant must also be able to participate for at least six (6) months.

Program Operations

The program operates Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., as well as some evenings and weekends.

Benefits to Participants

Mentoring provides juveniles the opportunity to develop a positive and supportive one-to-one relationship with an adult, who can provide guidance and serve as a positive role model.

Unique/Innovative Aspects

The HYPE Mentoring Program has progressive programs available for youth, such as the Boy Scouts, Young Marines, and volunteer opportunities at St. Augustine Episcopal Church.

Participants attend several social, cultural and/or recreational events and activities during the course of the program.