Joint Educational Facilities Inc

The JEF mentoring program is designed to immerse students in a supportive educational atmosphere. There is an emphasis on vocabulary, reading, and speaking skills. Successful JEF students and college students are used as role models. These students serve as group leaders, organizing their groups for competitions, inspiring by example, telephoning all participants to maintain communication, and generally serving as older brothers and sisters to whom the participants can relate. JEF provides training for the peer mentors. Minority professionals are used to discuss their fields of expertise and to give advice to students and instructors on projects and competitions. Professionals are encouraged to assist in the development and exploitation of opportunities for role models to jointly do presentations before mixed peer audiences. That involves developing projects using advanced techniques that are slanted toward applications that minority students can understand and appreciate. Over the past five years more than fifty professionals coming from professional organizations, parents, and former students have assisted us. Also, JEF has acquired the simulation software, SIM CITY and SIM EARTH, to facilitate the students in playing roles of the various professionals. Another important part of the mentoring program is counselling. JEF students come from a variety of backgrounds, but a large number are from single parent families. There exists the feeling that attending college is beyond their financial reach. JEF provides sessions with college recruiters and admissions personnel to counteract the feeling of hopelessness and to develop strategies for success. One such strategy is the reinforcement (by peer review and discussions) of science and math concepts covered in the school curriculum. School class schedules are shared among the participants. There are discussions pertaining to the various classes on a weekly basis to reinforce those concepts that are being taught. Students then are better prepared when they attend classes at school. This elevates self esteem and minimizes class disruption. Parents and students are required to attend an open house before the program begins for an orientation. There is a weekly progress report to the parents. Parents are required to participate in the program performing tasks such as fundraising, experience sharing, chaperoning, and other tasks to enhance the program.