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Offsite is just as important as onsite! We will have offsite worksheets in the basement and everyone will go over it together. It lets PMs and UY Assistants know how you are and what we can do for you!

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Use this section if you'd like to utilize the different padlets we have!

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Reference this section to send to mentors via GroupMes or individually to keep them up to speed!

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Introducing yourself to your team and encouraging participating in the chat lets the flow of the conversation seem easier!

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After getting to know your community partner, take a moment and research your school school a little! This can help smoothly navigate days at site!

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You choose - and you can add your community partner name, school, address, phone numbers as needed!

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1. When all mentees are added, do an icebreaker fun introduction - set the tone for people to respond, so you know if they are reading your GroupMe.

2. When to meet, for your Offsite planning before your site begins (at the UY).

3. Ongoing weekly communication shoutouts, planning sharing etc.

4. Transportation Reminders

5. If you get a message you don't know how to respond, ask PM's or Patti

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After getting to know your team, get to know your community partner! This is often a community coordinator, after-school supervisor etc. This person can help you locate where to pick up your students, where to drop them off, what materials the school can provide (sports equipment, outside access).

CC your community partner letter to Patti! Get these done when you can and be sure to save the community partner's information (phone number, email)

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Things to include on your board…

YMCA Core Values

List of rules and norms that the youth co-create with you

A fun name that everyone comes up with!

Create an artistic representation of all your names

Make sure you involve all your mentors and your youth at site! This is supposed to be a fun bonding exercise and to help set guidelines for site going forward.

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AWM Ignites Imagination by choosing activities that require fun and learning at the same time!

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AWM Ignites Imagination by choosing activities that require fun and learning at the same time!

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Introducing Imagination Stations Presentation - draft.pptx

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Home - Minneapolis Public School District

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Home - Minneapolis Public School District

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ONLY FOR UY USE TO/FROM SITE

Watch for $ amount before it runs out

Tell Patti if running low

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Go Noodle - Fun active ways to engage kids

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Go Noodle - Fun active ways to engage kids

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Planned Excused Absences:

Health appointments, planned trips, required class events, family/religious obligations, final exams

Planned absences NEED to be communicated at least 2 weeks in advance

Unplanned Excused Absences:

Illness, family emergency, hazardous weather conditions, transportation issues

Unplanned absences NEED to be communicated as soon as possible

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Name Games are designed to help participants learn each other's names, begin conversations, and set everyone in the group at ease.

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Best Elementary Schools in Minnesota - U.S. News Education

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See the best elementary schools in Minnesota based on school performance and other indicators. Learn more here.

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Building Relationships Ice Breakers (name tags too)

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Building Relationships Ice Breakers (name tags too)

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10 Icebreakers for Youth Programs + Free Downloads

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Kickstart your program with these engaging and fun ice breaker activities for the first week.

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7 Tricks to Engage Students in After-School Programs (Finding success with the tired and restless!)

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Students in after-school programs are tough to engage. Here are tips on helping them learn, focus, behave and thrive.

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Involve Kids in the Process

Gather Youth Input:

Ask children about the activities they want to do and how they want the space to look to foster buy-in and engagement.

Youth-Led Opportunities:

Give them the chance to lead activities, co-lead, and participate in creating the space to build ownership and confidence.

Provide Choices:

Allow kids to choose between different areas, like a game zone or quiet activity space, and give them the option to opt-out of an activity when they don't feel comfortable.

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Countdown to me - Example (can be used with your team - and then the youth!

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Countdown to me - Example (can be used with your team - and then the youth!

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Countdown to me Ice breaker worksheet for students

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Great fun - and can take you to the next gig - SOUP? SALAD? OR SANDWICH?

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Great fun - and can take you to the next gig - SOUP? SALAD? OR SANDWICH?

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Colorful Bold Soup Salad Sandwich Ice Breaker Presentation

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This is your to do list - and expectations!

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This is your to do list - and expectations!

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1. You've done a basic introduction on group me.

2. You've scheduled your first meeting to prep for your first service in the community

3. You've prepared your materials for the first two relationship building weeks.

4. You've prepared for building a team at your offsites - which you now have scheduled

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25-26 Youth Serving Mentor Program: Measurable Outcomes

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Your first Check-list for September 2026!

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Communication - Site Lead Tasks Checklist

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Fall 2026 Placement, Community Partner Information

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Fall 2026 Placement, Community Partner Information

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Site Lead Assignments (tab 1), Mentor Placement (tab 2), Community Partner Contact Info Draft

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Check out these three community trainings for Safety and Justice in our community.  

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Check out these three community trainings for Safety and Justice in our community.  

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The first two are webinars from the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota on how to safely observe and report ICE activity. The third is an upcoming webinar from UNIDOS on community intervention, taking place on January 145h from 6:30-8:30.

We're in this together.

https://www.ilcm.org/immigration-resources/know-your-rights/community-groups/

https://unidos-mn.org/events/safety-and-justice-2026

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Helping Very Young Children Cope after a Trauma

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Most children do not have long-term emotional problems after a serious injury or traumatic event. However, behavior changes may occur while their brain tries to process what has happened.

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Trauma signs and symptoms in young children can take many forms. Understanding these signs and symptoms as trauma related depends upon sensitive information gathering from the child, family, and Early Head Start and Head Start staff. That said, the signs and symptoms listed below must always be considered in the context of a young child’s history, caregiving system, supports, etc. and with recognition that these symptoms could also be symptoms unrelated to trauma.

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You can even include a team photo - so they know who to look for - if there's "time" you can do a team photo and send it with the names! Feel free to be creative! I'll read proofs, if you want!

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Fall 2025 - Spring 2026 Training and Seminars Schedule - Y Mentors

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Mentoring is an art - and it takes awareness and practice to improve upon - just like anything else - the more you try - the more interactions you have with your peers and young people - the more you will learn about yourself and others. Join us for the mandatory first seminar (they are monthly) next week. Sign up required - attendance is taken (2 hrs - toward work study, Page etc)
530-600PM - Food - Soups and Sandwiches (if you prefer your own food, please bring it)
6:00 - 7:00PM - Seminar with Patti and Student Leaders
7:00 - 7:30PM - Program Break Out Time
THIS COUNTS AS VOLUNTEER HOURS (for Page Scholars, Interns etc) AND WORK STUDY (if you have the award through FASFA and were HIRED as work study).

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Seminar 2 - Children, Emotions, Behaviors and More!

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How you respond to a young person who displays their emotions “on their sleeves” is really important! Attend and learn best approaches and practices to not alienate young people in their time of need - rather to lean in with empathy and more! Join us for the mandatory 2nd seminar (they are monthly) next week. Sign up required!
5:30 - 6:00 PM - Soups (Both non and Vegetarian), Bagel and Cream Cheeses, Fruit, Desserts
6:00 - 7:00 PM - Seminar
7:00 - 7:30 PM - Program Meeting THIS COUNTS AS VOLUNTEER HOURS (for Page Scholars, Interns etc) AND WORK STUDY (if you have the award through FASFA and were HIRED as work study).

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Seminar 3: Grow through what you go through!

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YOU ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND! An evening of reflection and celebration! Join us for the mandatory third seminar (they are monthly) next week. Sign up required!
5:30 - 6:00PM - Lite Dinner and Ice Cream Sundae’s
6:00 - 7:00PM - Seminar
7:00 - 7:30PM - Program Meeting THIS COUNTS AS VOLUNTEER HOURS (for Page Scholars, Interns etc) AND WORK STUDY (if you have the award through FASFA and were HIRED as work study).

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Here is where you will find the Main Activities for each weeks theme! As a reminder:

1) Choose your activity 2 weeks before so the materials can be ordered if we need more

2) If either activity is not jiving with your site, you are more than welcome to brew up your own main activity!

3) Your PMs, UY Assistants and Patti are here to help! if you need to order new materials, ideas with transitions etc LET US KNOW :D

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This Padlet is your HUB of information! Use it to find informaiton, schedules, tips and tricks!

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1. Know all the youth names (name tags, name games, site board)

2. Be engaging them in Imagination Stations/Main Activities

3. Supplies ordered ahead of time - talk to Patti (Slime is NOT to be done more than once a semester at the MOST)

4. No food brought in unless approved by Patti/Community Partner

5. Prizes - books and trinkets - you can tie these to good behavior

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Check out this Presentation designed by Patti Neiman.

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SL: Building a team - seeing "difference" as strengths!

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SL: Building a team - seeing "difference" as strengths!

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1. Create your activity plans in advance, share them with me if you want feedback and suggestions. Share them in your GroupMe for you team to see IN ADVANCE - not the day of.

Incorporate your mentors into activities they feel comfortable leading.

2. Meet with you mentors to build a "team" and to get participation from all members.

3. Meet with your mentors to work on activity plans to get their suggestions/ideas.

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1. Consistent communication, make it predictable so your team knows how/when to hear from you. You can put this in your calendar too, so it pings you a reminder to communicate.

2. You can do fun get to know you activities in GroupMe - but the best way to build a team and get to know their strengths and interests is in person.

3. Make sure you hear not just "what's going well" - but discuss the challenges and ways to flip the challenges.

4. If you are struggling your support people are your PM's, Peyton or Patti.

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Sept 30 and Oct 1 Orientation Slides 2025

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Check out this Presentation designed by Patti Neiman.

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We hope that this Hub helps you serve as a Site Lead this semester! Give us feedback, we are always open to improvements!