January 2021 - Happy New Year!
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.
January is National Mentoring Month!
January is National Mentoring Month and we are excited to highlight and recognize the contributions and commitment of Oakland Promise Mentors! Throughout the month, we will be sharing shout-outs and affirmations for our Mentors over Facebook and LinkedIn - please join our Mentor Facebook group and add us on LinkedIn, if you haven’t already. Look for messages from Scholars, Staff, other Mentors and community members who want to lend their appreciations to our celebration. Mark your calendar for these dates and join the conversation and celebration on your social media platforms!
Announcing Mentor Huddles: We will be having our first Mentor Huddle on January 21st from 12-1PM. This space is being created with the intention of connecting Mentors all across the organization to share best practices on mentoring your Scholars and being in community with the Mentoring Team. Stay tuned for a Zoom link coming soon!
NEW: 2021 Mentor Recruitment Rewards!
Help us recruit! Current Oakland Promise Mentors will receive a reward each time they are named as a referral on a Mentor Program application. You can help spread the word with potential Mentors by sharing our promotional materials.
See below links to both our interest form and a guide for promoting the Mentor Program among your personal and professional networks.
January Theme:
Setting SMART Goals
Happy New Year! With the new year comes a new opportunity for our Scholars to reset, plan and make actionable goals. This month, the newsletter theme for our Mentors and Scholars is on Setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely) Goals. Setting realistic goals for the year can provide our Scholars with insight, direction, and a sense of motivation throughout the year.
Our Advising Team has developed a resource guide on understanding and setting SMART goals for the year. We encourage you to review the guide and implement its tips and resources in a discussion with your Scholar.
General Announcements:
Virtual Party for the Promise on 1/29
We are thrilled to announce this year’s Virtual Party for the Promise on January 29, 2021 at 7pm. We cannot think of a more inspiring way to start off 2021 than (virtually) raising a glass to toast our incredible Oakland Promise community.
Please join Mia Bonta, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, our incredible governing board, special guests, and amazing community partners like you for the 6th Annual Party for the Promise taking place virtually from the comfort of your home! Click the button below to purchase your ticket today!
2020 Winter Career Conference: Thank You!
What a great day in the Bay! The 2020 Winter Career Conference brought our OP community together virtually to share space about investing in yourself, your career, and community. Thank you to everyone who was able to attend! We've sent recap emails with the various resources we shared at our 2020 WCC. Thank you for another successful event!
Monthly Mentor Survey Open until 1/11!
This is a reminder to fill out our January 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 open now through January 11th!
Reminders for your Scholars
Scholar Docs Deadline Extended: 1/12
The Winter/Spring 2021 Scholar Document deadline has been EXTENDED to 11:59pm Tuesday (1/12). Any documents submitted after the deadline will not be accepted. Follow the link below to find a list of Scholar Doc FAQ's our Advising Team put together.
If your Scholar needs support with Scholar Docs or needs to request a Proof of Scholarship letter, they should email advising@oaklandpromise.org.
Internship Opportunity: Health Career Connection
Is your Scholar interested in a career in health?
Health Career Connection has extended their application due date until 1/9 for OP SCHOLARS ONLY! They are looking for 20-30 Scholars who are interested in healthcare or public health careers. This program will match them with paid internships and professional mentors. Learn more below.
OP Black Excellence Grant
In partnership with Harlem Children Zone, the Oakland Promise is launching our Black Excellence Grant, to support Oakland Black/African-American Scholars in achieving their post-secondary goals. Oakland Promise believes in an Oakland community without barriers to equity, and we hope this grant can provide additional financial support to our Black youth. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis -- encourage your Scholar to apply today!
OP Youth Organizer Grant
This week, we are launching the Oakland Promise Youth Organizer Grant. This grant is open to Oakland youth of any age seeking to start or continue efforts of community service and leadership within Black or other underserved communities of color. Any youth in Oakland engaged in activism in service of the Black and/or underserved communities of color, or to youth-led nonprofit organizations or initiatives are encouraged to apply. If you know any Oakland youth who fit this criteria, encourage them to apply today!
FAFSA/Dream Act Now Open
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.
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 Listening to..
Hidden Brain Podcast from NPR - "Between Two Worlds"
Host Shankar Vedantam interviews Jennnifer Morton, associate professor of philosophy at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and author of “Moving Up Without Losing Your Way: The Ethical Costs of Upward Mobility”. This episode of Hidden Brain was recommended by Craig Spitzer, OP Mentor to two current Scholars.
Have a reading or listening suggestion to share with the Mentor Community? Send your recommendations to mentors@oaklandpromise.org.
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Oakland Promise
300 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 430
Oakland, CA 94612