Defending Potential– School Mentoring for Youth Affected by Violence

Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee proposes to implement an expansion of the BoldPath program in Vine Magnet Middle School (Vine Middle) in Knoxville, Tennessee. The purpose is to build on the successes and lessons learned in a pilot program that uniquely integrates evidence-based mentoring/coaching and other violence prevention services and embed them in the middle school setting to help prevent and mitigate students' exposure to and participation in gun and gang-related violence in a high-risk area of the city of Knoxville. Project activities include screening students and working with teachers to identify BoldPath referrals for the students with the most substantial risks for violence and problematic behaviors; hiring coaches (one male and two female) and one supervisor who reflect the low-income, majority Black population; student one-to-one mentoring and small group work; family engagement events and case management to link them to identified needs; and evidence-based violence prevention education and training for families, students, staff, and school personnel. Activities also include collaborating with seven committed partners (e.g., Vine Middle, Knox County School District, United Way of Greater Knoxville, Knoxville Police Department, local evaluator, etc.). Expected outcomes include enrolling 250 new students, more than half the student body at Vine Middle, over three years who will improve grades, attendance, and disciplinary behaviors and have pre/post-test gain/sustain socio-emotional competencies associated with violent behaviors (e.g., emotional control, decision-making, school/peer connectedness). Additionally, adults in the lives of BoldPath students will improve knowledge and violence prevention tools. BoldPath will meaningfully address inequities as the Vine Middle student population overwhelmingly represents a historically underserved and marginalized community and students experiencing inequities and impacted by crime, violence, and victimization. Vine Middle students who have experienced or witnessed violence or substance misuse, trauma, bullying, high rates of absenteeism, unstable housing, and other adverse childhood experiences, their families/caregivers, teachers, and school administrators are the intended project beneficiaries. Outcomes and lessons learned from BoldPath will result in a sustainability plan and program replicable throughout region five of Knox County Schools, those the district has designated as in need of considerable support for improvements in academic success, wrap-around services, and school behaviors that will reduce/prevent violence for improved school climates and students' safety and success. There are no subrecipient activities associated with the BoldPath program.