November 2020!
The Mentor Resource Hub (MRH)
Tap into our Mentor Resource Hub (MRH) where you will find our program's extensive collection of Mentor resources, including:
COVID-19 Resources for Scholars; Mentor Program Calendar; Mentor Staff and Lead Contact Info; and Scholar Internship, Job, & Scholarship Opportunities
Use the password: mentors4OP to login.
November Theme:
Networking and Informational Interviewing
This month, we are focusing on the importance of our Scholars using their networks to gain career information that will set them up for success. We know that networking is an important career development skill that will help our Scholars answer career-related questions and explore potential job fields and opportunities.
Our Advising Team as developed a resource guide on networking and how to land an informational interview. We encourage you to review the guide and share its tips and resources with your Scholar.
November 8th is National First-Generation College Celebration
Join OP and the Center for First-Generation Student Success in commemorating the National First-Generation College Celebration on 11/8! This celebration honors the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965 which ushered in programs, particularly the Federal TRIO programs, necessary for postsecondary access, retention, and completion for low-income, potential first-generation college graduates. On 11/8, we want to celebrate all of the success of our first-gen students, and we encourage you to do the same! Click the link below to learn more.
General Announcements:
Officially Announcing
Oakland Promise is excited to bring the Winter Career Conference 2020 for all OUSD high school students, OP Scholars, OP Alumni, and OP Mentors!
This online event will be packed with community leaders, financial gurus, and seasoned professionals sharing what they have learned about social justice and financial management in their careers. We hope to inspire YOU to think about what investing in yourself, your career and your community looks like to bring change! Hold your spot today using the link below.
11/6: Oakland Promise Community Briefing
Oakland Promise invites you to our 2020 Community Briefing on Friday, November 6th! This year, we will focus on providing an overview of our highlights and progress on key initiatives. As an attendee, you’ll get the chance to hear impactful stories and have an opportunity to join our movement to support Oakland’s young people. With our partners, we are collectively working towards an Oakland community without educational barriers to opportunity. Our special 2020 Community Briefing event will be held virtually via Zoom and will feature a number of VIP guests.
We hope you will join us for this community event. To register, please click the button below.
Fall Mentor Team Meetings
Thank you for all that attended their Mentor Team Meeting in October! Your Mentor Lead or Oakland Promise staff will continue to host virtual Mentor Team meetings for new and continuing Mentors throughout November. These meetings are an opportunity for each Mentor Team to network and share general mentoring tips and questions with the team. Below is the Mentor Team meeting schedule for November:
UCD - Saturday, 11/7, 10-11:30am
Pvt/West + Pvt/East - Thursday, 11/12, 5:30-7pm
UCSC - Saturday, 11/21, 10-11:30am
Please sign up to attend your Mentor Team Meeting below so that you can receive the Zoom link!
Recap: STEM Mentoring Month
Thank you to all of the Mentors and Scholars that shared their STEM mentoring stories with us for October's STEM Mentoring Month! If you missed these amazing testimonials, they can still be found on our OP Mentor Facebook Group.
We strongly encourage all Mentors who are on Facebook to join the Mentor Facebook group to stay up-to-date and connected with us.
For 2020 Mentors Only: November Program Updates
Last Friday, 10/30, we sent out an email with program updates for 2020 Mentors. These updates included a preview of the remaining required Mentor-Scholar Activities for the academic year, as well as instructions to help your Scholar set up an account with our partner, Students Rising Above (SRA). The next two Mentor-Scholar Activities will be delivered through the SRA platform, so it is important that your student set an account up before the December 1st activity start date. Click below to view these instructions and our full updates.
Monthly Mentor Survey Opens 11/4!
This is a reminder to fill out our November Monthly Mentor Survey! This survey is a great opportunity to let us know what is working in your Mentor-Scholar relationship, and what additional supports OP can provide you with.
Be sure to check your inbox for our Monthly Mentor-Scholar Interaction Survey opening on November 4th!
Mentor Recruitment Now Open
We are recruiting! Please help us spread the word with potential Mentors by sharing the blurb below with your networks:
Mark your calendars📌 — The first step in becoming a Mentor is attending a Mentor Information Session. These sessions are a great way to learn about our program and how to get involved as a Mentor for an Oakland Scholar. 🎓 Visit the OP website to sign up!
Reminders for your Scholars
OP Transfer Application Workshops
Is your student applying to transfer next Fall to a UC, CSU, or Private School? Encourage them to attend one of our upcoming transfer workshops and get 1:1 support on their applications from an OP Advisor. See below for the upcoming workshop dates and encourage your Scholar to RSVP using the link that was emailed to them.
Thursday, 11/12 (4pm-8pm)
Saturday, 11/21(10am-2pm)
FAFSA/Dream Act Open October 1st
2020-2021 applications for the FAFSA and Dream Act are now open! Students must fill out the FAFSA or Dream Act in order to be eligible for financial aid in Fall 2021 and Spring 2022.
Does your Scholar need support filling out their FAFSA or Dream Act application? Are they unsure which one they should complete? Students can reach out to advising@oaklandpromise.org for 1:1 support.
UC & CSU Transfer Applications Open
Starting October 1st, both the UC and CSU transfer applications are open! Is your Scholar planning on transferring to a UC or CSU? Do they need support completing their application by the priority deadline? Have them reach out to our advising@oaklandpromise.org!
Mentor Reminders
Stay Connected with the Community
Our Oakland Promise Google Group is the perfect platform to receive and share job, internship, scholarship, and other academic opportunities for our Scholars. From the “My Groups” page, you can control when and if to receive email updates from the Group as well as how to opt out of the Group.
Join today!
We want to hear from YOU!
What moments stand out for you? How are you growing as a Mentor?
Each Mentor-Scholar relationship is unique, and sharing it can help others - including New Mentors - learn about what to expect, how to manage their expectations, how to celebrate successes, and more.
Mentor Leads Needed
We are seeking 1-2 Mentor Leads and/or Co-Leads to support the following teams: BCC & Other Community Colleges, HBCU, NorCal, SoCal, UCSC and Laney/College of Alameda. Mentor Leads are helpful, committed and experienced folks who want to support their Mentor teammates.
Apply today below!
This Month, We're Reading..
"Students Vote and Work the Polls, Despite the Pandemic"
By Amelia Nierenberg and Adam Pasick, November 2nd, 2020, The New York Times
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Oakland Promise
300 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 430
Oakland, CA 94612