The large group activities include informational presentations on topics which strengthen students' abilities to be successful in school. Students who have been most successful in remaining in school and graduating are those who have a deep, supportive relationship with an adult who continues to encourage them to keep going despite the challenges they often face including being teenage parents, living in economically or emotionally stressful situations, lacking parental role models who have been successful in school, and deficient work-study skills. Their reasons for being unsuccessful typically include failing grades from lack of assignment completion, truancy, or pregnancy. Middle school students who attend the COPE Program are mandated to do so by the Adams County Probation Department as a probation requirement. While enrolled in the COPE program, students receive individualized academic instruction as well as development in interpersonal and social skills, and behavior-management.
Participation is voluntary for both students and mentors.
As their relationships develop with their mentors, students will have a personal advocate to assist them academically, to encourage them to keep applying effort, and to help them make any connections to school and community services which may be needed. Funds would also be used to develop and implement a community service project to assist the building of a new facility for the Decatur Boys and Girls Club. This community service project would provide an avenue for the students to contribute in a positive and meaningful way to other younger, at-risk children in the community.