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Preparing Native American Youth for Success
GG2570793 Details
The Rotary Club of Denver Mile High Rotary is delighted to sponsor a Global Grant that will positively impact Native American communities. This grant will empower Native American high school students through training and mentoring at an Indian School soon to be determined Please consider joining us in making a huge impact on the participants, their families and their Nations.
The approach was developed by Knight Moves, a training organization that has a history in training Native Americans. The program covers a three year period. In the first two years, the program delivers online learning of state-of-the-art technological skills delivered by a Learning Guide. In addition,there will be a mentor from day one. The mentor will coach participants and support them through the entire program. BrainWise, a critical thinking skills program, will be introduced early in the training and will help the participants deal successfully with career and personal issues. In the third year, the program will actively prepare the students for specific job employment in well-paying jobs in technology. Currently, Knight Moves is using this training approach in the program they are successfully delivering to students in the Meskwaki Nation.
The Global Grant funds will cover the costs for the first two years of intense technological training activities. Activities during year three will be funded from non-Rotary sources.
Years One and Two: Training. Incoming juniors volunteer to participate in the training which will begin in September and continue through senior year year. The training is done remotely, with the material presented in short segments and immediately reinforced with an exercise. Students attend online classes together, and the Learning Guide presents the material through on-line courses. The Learning Guide serves as a supportive mentor, guiding the students through their learning journey, helping them achieve academic sense and confidence.
Students participate in the equivalent of five one-hour classes a week. In addition, the students have access to the Learning Guide online at least four hours a day. The Learning Guide will provide online tutoring sessions, assisting students via video calls and digital collaboration tools. The Guide will provide positive reinforcement and encouragement, boosting the student's confidence in their abilities. They will inspire students to set goals, work hard, and believe in their potential. There will also be a teacher in the classroom to provide additional support to the students.
Integrated into the training is BrainWise, a critical thinking skills program that will be taught by BrainWise trained teachers. The organization will collaborate with tribal leaders to identify relevant social teaching topics. Discussion of these topics will enable the students to evaluate real life situations and make important decisions, as opposed to reflexively reacting to them. Critical thinking skills are essential in developing successful careers and making informed life decisions.
Year Three: Community Curator The Community Curator will begin working with the students from the start of the program, providing leadership and development coaching. The Curator will introduce individuals to the exciting opportunity of technology as a career and build a pipeline of program participants. The Curator will also partner with local community based organization leaders to attract participants and support their individual needs. The student will also be enrolled in a 6-month paid internship.
Year Three: Employer Network The Network Curator will develop a network that will help participants discover interests in specific companies, industries, and career pathways - while also helping employers develop their future tech talent pipeline. The Curator will also develop an Employer Network of companies who are seeking inclusive technology talent and enabling tribal employees to work remotely from their tribal community. All activities of the Employer Network are intended to make sure the student gets a good job in the tech field.
More about the Global Grant
The training Program will provide school-approved curriculum coursework to 25-50 high school students for two years, followed by six months of intensive, work-related mentoring, introduction to potential employers, and specific training, in preparation for remote full-time employment of the students.
Importantly, the training will be online and the ultimate jobs that the graduates secure will also be remote, so the students may remain in their own Tribes. Native youth are largely committed to staying within the sovereign lands of their reservations. While this enhances their ability to have a positive effect on their homeland, it also limits their exposure to educational opportunities and well-paying jobs. This grant supports their decisions and provides personalized support through both the Learning Guide and the Native American adult assigned to each class.
Native American youth face many difficulties, while economic opportunity offers positive outcomes in terms of increasing lifespan, improving health conditions, and attacking drug and alcohol abuse. Offering students the equivalent of a college degree that will enable them to obtain a job within the tech sector could result in a profound economic impact for the students and their communities. Lawrence Spottedbird, Chairman of the Kiowa Nation, described Knight Moves as "the most comprehensive solution dedicated to improving posterity while preserving Tribal identity, culture, language and heritage."
We are delighted to announce that District 1160 in Ireland has joined us as the Grant International Partner. We are looking at ways that they can actively participate in the grant. In addition, we are looking to develop an opportunity for Young Rotarians to engage with the Native American students on line and collaborate on ideas and activities.
Please consider joining us in this impactful project.
Total cost of Global Grant (approximate) $110,000
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