HEARTS OF MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION
Hearts of Multicultural Education (HOME) is a mentoring project intended to build lasting bridges among multicultural families and the communities in which they live. The project will work toward creating a multicultural pluralistic community where the mentee will be able to retain their cultural identity.
HOME IS
A mutually beneficial mentoring project focused on immigrant and refugee youth that aims to:
- Build stronger community relationships
- Create cultural awareness between both mentee and mentor
- Develop multicultural educations opportunities
- Create awareness among immigrant and refugee families on the value of education
- Improve English language skills
- Encourage parental participation in community and educational events
- Give both mentee and mentor a sense of community and belonging
- Encourage post-secondary education among immigrant and refugee children
Mentees
Participants are:
4th – 8th graders
Residents of Lawrence County, Missouri
Living in homes where English is a secondary language
Interested in partnering with a mentor
Supported by parents/caregivers to participate in the HOME project
Mentors
Mentors are:
Community members with a strong supportive stance regarding diversity
Excited to learn about the mentees’ native homeland, customs and traditions
Willing to complete training and able to pass a background check
Available to meet time commitments of once a week at the school and once a month in the community
WHY HOME?
According to the paper Explaining the Relations between Acculturative Stress and Prosocial Behaviors in Latino Youth from the Midwest, “…adolescents may experience acculturative stress due to social exclusion and the feeling that they are barred from specific opportunities or aspects of society because of their culture of origin.” Additionally, “These adolescents may be less likely to engage in high cost prosocial behaviors.”
According to the National Education Association, “..the percentage of Hispanics age 25 and older with a high school diploma or more was 52.4 percent in the 2000 census, compared to 85.5 percent for Whites. In addition, the percentage of Hispanics with bachelor’s degrees or more was 10.4 percent, compared to 27 percent of Whites.”
It should be noted, while the initial project was focused on serving the Hispanic population of Lawrence County, the materials have been developed to accommodate many multicultural populations.
SCHEDULE
| Description | Date | Time | Location | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mentee/Mentor Activity | April 10th | 6:00 - 8:00pm | Pizza Hut, 2028 S. Elliott, Aurora | (417) 678-5031 |
| Mentee/Mentor Activity | May 12th | 1:00 - 3:00pm | Bill's Extreme Paintball and Laser Tag, 20107 Lawrence 1247, Marionville | (417) 678-5031 |
| End of Year Exhibition Free and open to the public. | May 24th | 6:00 - 8:00pm | Monett City Park Casino, 101 S. Lincoln, Monett | (417) 678-5031 |
Volunteer as a Mentor
Are you interested in making a difference? Do you enjoy culture and diversity? If so, OACAC has a volunteer opportunity for you!
Contact our Lawrence County Neighborhood Center today to start the conversation and mentor application process. Reach us at (417) 678-5031 or [email protected].
Recommend a Youth
Do you know a youth who would like to share his/her culture while learning more about the community?
Contact our Lawrence County Neighborhood Center today to start the conversation and referral process! Reach us at (417) 678-5031 or [email protected].