Mentoring Programs
The Credible Messenger Mentorship Approach
The Credible Messenger Mentorship Approach empowers at-risk youth and families through mentors with lived experience.
Youth Programming
Programs for Justice-Impacted Youth
Mental Health and Wellness
Many youth face deep emotional scars from experiences of trauma, abuse, and loss, which can impact their ability to trust others and build healthy relationships.
We center youth by listening deeply, supporting them holistically across home, school, and systems, and matching them with Credible Messenger mentors. Through intensive case management, life planning, and skill-building, we help youth develop positive decision-making habits and become leaders in their own transformation. Our ultimate goal is to empower young people to break cycles of harm and step fully into their purpose.
Mentorship
Limited Access to Education and Employment Opportunities
Justice-impacted youth often face barriers to education, including gaps in academic history or difficulty accessing higher education, which can limit their career prospects and financial stability.
Our Credible Messengers—individuals with lived experience—are trained, supported, and guided on their own journeys of healing and professional growth. As mentors, they play a transformative role in the lives of youth, becoming trusted guides, educators, and changemakers who promote safety, healing, and justice in the communities they serve. We invest in their leadership development through training, coaching, and real opportunities to lead change. Over time, Credible Messengers become visible examples of transformation and powerful advocates for youth, community wellness, and system reform.
Community
Lack of Positive Role Models
Many youth lack consistent, positive role models who can provide guidance and inspire them to make positive choices, often turning to negative influences in their environments.
We build safe spaces and strengthen community ties by educating residents about historical oppression, reintroducing youth and mentors into the community, and mobilizing collective action. Through public safety forums and restorative justice practices, we cultivate neighborhoods that heal harm, embrace accountability, and nurture youth growth without relying on punitive systems. Our work empowers communities to become the first responders to harm, equipped with the tools to resolve conflict in transformative ways. As trust grows, communities begin to see themselves as co-creators of safety, healing, and opportunity for all residents—especially youth.
Credible Messengers
How We Work
Lived Experience to Youth Participants
Credible Messengers bring their lived experiences to the forefront, connecting with youth on a personal level and showing that change is possible. By sharing their own journeys of overcoming challenges, these mentors offer hope, guidance, and real-world insight. They provide youth participants with practical advice and support, helping them navigate struggles, make positive decisions, and build resilience. Through these authentic, peer-based relationships, youth gain not only valuable skills but also a powerful sense of empowerment, knowing that someone who has walked a similar path believes in their potential for growth and success.
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Support Us for Change
Your support helps us provide critical resources, mentorship, and opportunities for youth in need. Together, we can empower the next generation to overcome challenges, build brighter futures, and contribute to stronger communities. Join us in making a lasting impact—your help makes all the difference!