Background:
The Health Mentor Program is currently based at three sites, The Sojourner Truth Academy (STA) and PYC Arts & Tech High School (PYC) and Menlo Park Academy (Menlo).
Sojourner Truth Academy serves 6-8th grade middle school scholars. Of STA's middle school scholars- the majority of which are AA and Latinx- 22% of this population qualify for English language learner services; 7% qualify for special education services; and 11% have been identified as homeless or highly mobile. The North Minneapolis school community has historically experienced the trauma of racism, school closures, gun violence, and fallouts from health and economic disparities.
PYC Arts & Tech High School is located in North Minneapolis, next to the Capri Theater.
Menlo Park Academy is based out of Eastside Neighborhood Services in Northeast Minneapolis. Serving up to 185 students at PYC and 125 students at Menlo, both sites have a homeless-highly mobile population of almost 20% and the majority of the students are African American, Latinx, or mixed race. Both the PYC and Menlo sites are Contract Alternative Program (CAP) schools & many students arrive as juniors/seniors, 1-2 years behind in credits.
The overall goal of the Health Mentor Program is to promote sexual health while reducing unintended pregnancies, STI's, and empowering well-being. The Health Mentor model embeds a health mentor in a school community. The health mentor provides evidence-based/informed sexuality education in the classroom, one-on-one health education that utilizes motivation interviewing techniques, facilitates groups, centers youth voices, and creates a safe and supportive environment. Health Mentors have a strong understanding of healthy development and wellbeing topics to create a positive and empowering space that adapts with the changing climate. The Health Mentor has a demonstrated ability to center youth voices and provide the skills/support to establish healthy behaviors.