• 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

• 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.

• 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.

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

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

2. Be engaging them in imagination stations

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

Reminders

1. Meet with your mentor team weekly

2. Reflection activities (i.e. Rose, Bud, Thorn)

3. Materials can take 1-2 to purchase - plan ahead. Tell Patti what you need.

4. Have your plans reviewed - get feedback!

5. Share with each other what you are doing - we can learn from each other!

6. Post at least 24 hrs in advance to your team so they know what's happening.

7. Celebrate on your GroupMe when good things happen!

• Relationships

• Wellness

• Imagination

• Self-Efficacy

Article: Ten Expert Tips For Talking To Kids About ICE Terrorizing Their Friends and Family  

Article: How to talk to kids about ICE and Border Patrol - WBEZ Chicago

Article: How to Talk to Children About ICE and Immigration - FamilyWorks 

Article: Talking to Kids About Immigration Enforcement in Their Communities | Children's Hospital Los Angeles 

Article: How to talk to your kids about ICE - Evanston RoundTable

Book: Sometimes People March: A Timeless Picture Book About Solidarity and Hope for Kids

Books to Support Children Through Scary News, Violence & Family Separation

Social Story: When Something Bad Happen

Video: Adelante | Detention's Toll: Talking to Kids About Immigration | Season 27 | PBS

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