UT/TSU Extension Cheatham County has received a grant to provide an after school 4-H mentoring program to students at Cheatham Middle School for the 2020-2021 school year.
“Our goal,” states Family and Consumer Sciences Agent Aneta Eichler, “is to utilize mentors in order to increase family engagement and enhance the student’s academic performance.”
A.X.I.S. (Attaining eXtreme Interpersonal Success) will provide at-risk or underserved populations with a structured after-school program every Tuesday. Community leaders will conduct programs on family heritage, story- telling, nutrition, physical fitness and leadership skills. Mentors will be utilized to support the students learning and build a positive role-model relationship.
UT/TSU Extension Cheatham County is currently seeking qualified individuals to serve as mentors for this program. Research has shown that students who have a mentor are 55% more likely to enroll in college, 78% more likely to volunteer regularly and 130% more likely to hold leadership positions. Volunteer mentors will work with designated student(s) one or two hours per week to promote academics, attendance, and social competency. For more information on becoming a mentor visit cheatham.tennessee.edu and click on the A.X.I.S. logo or visit justserve.org.
A second part of this grant will focus on parental engagement with bi-monthly Family Night Out programs. These programs will provide experiential learning opportunities to strengthen family bonds. Activities will focus on building trust, support, kindness, positive family communication, problem-solving and working together.
Funding for this program is provided by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention through National 4-H Council.
For more information about this program or other UT/TSU Extension programs please visit our website at cheatham.tennessee.edu or follow us on Facebook at Cheatham County UT-TSU Extension.
