Environmental Scan for Mentoring Opportunities to Serve Side-lined Youth in Eastern Nova Scotia

The Ahead of the Game Youth Mentoring Organization (AOTG) is a not for profit organization who supports under resourced youth ages 12-29 through group and one-on-one mentoring. The goal of mentorship programming facilitated by AOTG (typically 12-week in school programs) is to provide under resourced youth with the motivation, guidance, skills and connection to resources they need to thrive in life. The program was founded in Toronto, Ontario where it has served thousands of youth since 2011. The organization has recently moved to Eastern Nova Scotia where they plan to have a tremendous impact as well. Recently, from May – June 2023, the program was launched at a junior school in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, serving 12 boys who had behavioural issues in school, and were disengaged from school. The program led to them becoming more engaged with their school community and participating in various programs in their broader communities. Teachers and school administration also reported better emotional regulation skills and discipline from majority of participants. Through the facilitation of an environmental scan Phase 1 of this project will position the organization with in-depth knowledge of the current supports, programming and resources offered to under resourced youth in Eastern Nova Scotia, so that Ahead of the Game is aware of who to align with and how to position themselves to have a significant impact on youth and their communities. The second phase of this project will include a search for funding opportunities resulting in the creation of a funding strategy.

Faculty Supervisor:

Erin Austen;Jonathan Hood

Student:

Partner:

Ahead of the Game Youth Mentoring Organization

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

St. Francis Xavier University

Program: