The youth chooses a teacher or coach to be their school-based mentor. Duke students assist with academic needs. And there's a mentor on the student's summer job. Each mentor encourages teens to see more possibilities for themselves. The summer job complements the program's mentoring component by providing practical experience.
Employers benefit as well as the students.
Instead of having to search for summer help, they simply choose from a group of Partners for Youth students who are matched to their needs. Also, Duke arranges for each student's work permit, and the students have their mentors to fall back on for support. Beamon-Thomas has come to love. She's an absolute delight. Beamon-Thomas is glad she got past her initial fears of being a mentor.