Be a mentor, INC. (BAM) proposes to implement the resilience connection project, a combination group and 1:1 mentoring program to support youth affected by opioid and other substance misuse

BAM will partner with LA familia, a multicultural organization that provides substance abuse treatment, to provide mentoring services to youth who are receiving SUD treatment, or whose parents are receiving treatment. The project will also receive referrals through schools, organizations, law enforcement, and families of youth in need of treatment or prevention services. The purpose of the project is to provide support to young people who are either recovering from substance misuse or are impacted by the substance abuse of others. Because BAM will serve high-risk youth who may be reluctant to engage in mentoring services, mentees will first spend at least two months in a group mentoring setting, where they will be introduced to potential mentors. After two months mentees can self-select mentors for 1:1 mentoring from either BAM's pool of screened and trained mentors or through their own network of natural mentors, or can be matched by BAM staff with a mentor who shares similar interests, goals, and lived experience. The target area will be the communities of oakland and richmond in the east BAY of SAN francisco. Services will take place in the community through 1:1 mentoring, and at LA familia sites in both richmond and hayward, CA. Intended beneficiaries are youth aged 12-17 in the target area who have been impacted by their own or others' substance misuse. LA familia will be the subrecipient on the grant, providing program referrals and substance abuse treatment and prevention services, and will assist with training development, family engagement activities, and mentor and mentee monitoring and support. The expected outcomes are that youth participants will demonstrate improved academic performance, graduation rates, social-emotional skills, and resilience as a result of the program.