1

Club MeetingsManual II - 1

• Clubs, through GROUP MENTORING, supports and enhances one-on-one mentoring for every Club kid

• HOW?

ommitmentommitment

nderstandingnderstanding

eadershipeadership

afe Placeafe Place

elonging/Belongingselonging/Belongings

C

L

U

B

S

2

C is for COMMITMENTManual II - 1

• A foster child knows one thing about you when you walk into his or her life:

Soon or later … you will leave

• The commitment between mentor and Club kid is strengthened by Community and Ceremony

3

Revolving Doorof Foster Care

Manual II – 1 (Commitment)

Most infants in foster care:

Move every 12-18 months

• Have 3 homes by age 4

• Older children move even more

4

Failed Matches Are DangerousManual II – 1 (Commitment)

• Short-term mentoring match can actually harm an at risk child.* “Early terminations decrease feelings of self-worth and academic self-confidence, resulting in lower levels of pro-social activities and school attendance.”

*Rhodes, 2002. “Mentoring: A Promise Intervention for Children of Prisoners.” Shay Bilchik, J. D. Edited by Jean E. Rhodes, Ph.D.

5

L is for LEADERSHIPManual II - 1

• Teaching Leadership, Character and Values

• Providing Role Models who take responsibility – Bible Stories, historical heroes and Mentors

• Providing ways for Club Kids to take leadership and responsibility in the group

6

U is for UNDERSTANDINGManual II - 1

• Volunteers who ‘get’ where foster kids are coming from – child abuse training and camp experience – and work as a TEAM to create understanding.

• A Mentoring Director who supervises matches and a Club Psychologist

• A Mentoring Cohort that meets regularly to support each other

7

B is for BelongingManual II - 1

Club kids often feel like outsiders,even in their own homes

““You’re inYou’re inthe Clubthe Club!”!”““You’re inYou’re inthe Clubthe Club!”!”

8

Belonging(s) !Manual II - 1

“You lose your stuff in foster care. I had one box of pictures and things left from growing up that the group home said they would keep for me. But they lost it.”

19 year old emancipated youth

Biblical examples of touchstone objects

• Joseph’s Coat

• Samuel’s annual little priest outfit made by Hannah

• New clothes for festivals

9

S is for Safe PlaceManual II - 1

ADULTS –• Keep rules and don’t permit abuse

or bullying

CLUB KIDS – • Foster care

and friendship

10

Safety for Adults Teamwork

Manual II - 1

• Supporting each other

• Working as a team

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Galatians 6:9

11

Safety for Adults Wounded Children

Manual II - 1

• Building a relationship with a Club kid wounded by abuse is dangerous

• Manipulation• Burn out• RFK Clubs believes that group support for

mentors is as important as group support for Club kids.

12

Overview & Program PlanningManual II - 2

• Innovative Model

• C-L-U-B-S

13

Remembering the photos from Camp!

Camp MemoriesLeadership Manual, II-2

What We Do At ClubManual II-3

14

RFK CurriculumOpening Activities

Manual II-3 (continued)

Games

Music

Ice Breakers

15

RFK Curriculum

Puppet PlaysManual II-3 (continued)

Two puppets come out onstage and have a discussion about the value of the month.

16

RFK CurriculumBible Stories & Props

Manual II-3 (continued)

• Key Verse

• Bible Story– Props– Planning

17

RFK CurriculumPre-Club Planning

Manual II-3

RFK Curriculum: • Ice Breaker• Puppet Show• Bible Story (with props)

You Develop• Craft/Activity• Music  • Food• Field Trips

18

19

Using Curriculum Worksheets Manual II-4, VI-14

Make copies of the worksheet found in VI. Forms to record

assignments for each month’s meeting

See manual for sample 9-month

Curriculum Overview (Section II-11 & 12).

20

Club CeremoniesManual II – 4

• Club time is perfect for CEREMONIES that publicly celebrate making and keeping commitments

1- Cape Ceremony 2- Closing Ceremony

21

SYMBOLISM OF THE SEAL – a solemn pledge to be true to one’s word

CovenantManual II-5

22

C is for COMMITMENT

Cape Ceremony –

Cape/Seal CeremonyA Promise Made

Manual II 6-8

Leadership Manual, II-6 to II-8, details 1st meeting of the year, Cape Ceremony process.

Logo on

back of cape

23

Cape/Seal CeremonyMidland, MI

24

Closing CeremonyA Promise Kept

Manual II-9

Each Mentor and Club KidWho Fulfills Their Covenant PromiseReceives the Club Pendant

Leadership Manual, II-9, details final meeting of the year, Closing Ceremony process.

25

Club Product Distribution

Who gets what when??

Manual II-10

Staff Circle of Prayer

Gather staff for prayer & peer support before Club kids & Mentors arrive

Allow 15-20 minutes

Read Key Verse for the month

Review the day’s Club Plan

Prayer requests and praise

Everyone stands, holds hands, forming a circle in the Club room, praying for God’s blessing on the children & adults

26

Manual II-13