Middle School Mentors
20 young adults from the Midian Leadership Project and Step by Step, Inc. (most of whom are West Siders) spent a week this past school year at West Side Middle School giving support to students and extra support for staff and teachers. The work led to a Congressional Earmark request for $200,000 to support the growth of long-term mentor initiatives at West Side Middle
Westside Youth Works!
Last summer, 9 West Side students were hired by West Side organizations: NEW WV, Midian Leadership Project, Aspire Achievement Project, Restorative Actions, and Phat Daddy’s on Da Tracks. The program included meet-ups for students to socialize and to learn job skills and financial management. This model is under review to extend the City of Charleston’s summer youth employment program into neighborhoods.