by Alyssa Pereira
A simple classroom in a local YMCA may not seem like much to most, but to some youth in the community, it is a place that allows them to grow and develop in a positive way. The Y’s Reach and Rise program is bettering the lives of youth in the Fargo-Moorhead community by placing positive adult role models in their lives.
This national Y group mentoring program operates in 38 states around the country. Children between the ages of 8-15 are match with a group of up to five other youth and two local adult community members who act as mentors.
“We aim to match youth with adults that they feel that they can connect with,” said Valerie Fechner, program director “to give them healthy positive relationships that can hopefully help them grow in whatever area they may be struggling with and may need support with.”
Fechner believe youth are the future and it is important to ensure they are equipped with the skills and tools needed to succeed. Mentoring programs such as Reach and Rise do just this. Mentors in the program use therapeutic techniques along with research based activities to enhance self-esteem, confidence, decision-making skills, school performance and relationships.
Within the Fargo-Moorhead community, Y of Cass Clay focuses on bettering the lives of the community, including the youth. Reach and Rise was established in this community about a year ago and has since seen continued success. About 90 percent of refereed youth are matched with a group and there is rarely a struggle to find mentors.
“There are adults in our community who want to invest in the future generations and be a positive influence for a child,” Fechner said.
These volunteer mentors understand community grows with the future, and the youth are what will make the Fargo-Moorhead area thrive. According to the 2016 Fargo-Moorhead Demographic Forecast, the population of youth aged 5 to 17 in Cass and Clay counties will increase from 31,133 in 2015 to 39,135 by 2020. With this growth, the need for programs such as Reach and Rise will increase. From what Fechner is already seeing, a growing community impacts local schools and neighborhoods as the number of youths increase.
Reach and Rise lends itself to accommodating area growth. “It is a great program to be able to reach new communities and new people who maybe aren’t used to this area and another resource they can rely on,” Fechner said.
Another valuable aspect of this program is its mobility. Mentors are able to bring the program wherever the youth are able to meet, whether that is community centers, local schools, or YMCA sites. Fechner has little concern that Y of Cass Clay will not be able to meet the needs of the growing community.
Overall, the feedback Fechner has received from parents and youth has been very positive. The hope is that as this community expands so will the Reach and Rise, impacting more youth and adapting to the new communities.
“We believe in the mission and we are excited to get that going.” Fechner said.