Curriculum Area
Mentorship
Guided Growth Through Meaningful Adult-Youth Connections
Every Premier and All-Access scholar is matched with a dedicated mentor — a trained adult who provides consistent guidance, encouragement, and accountability beyond academics.
C84 Mentorship is a component of the C84 academic experience for grades 4–6. The Beyond Breakfast Foundation is USI’s dedicated mentorship and community-leadership pillar — the two programs cross-reference each other but remain distinct.
Learning Objectives
- Build a trusted adult-youth relationship centered on growth and support
- Develop goal-setting skills and personal accountability
- Navigate social-emotional challenges with guidance and empathy
- Cultivate a growth mindset and resilience through regular encouragement
How Mentorship Works
Matching
Interest- and needs-based matching
Scholars are matched with mentors based on interests, personality, and needs assessment
Frequency
Weekly 1-on-1 check-in
15 minutes during program hours
Group Sessions
Monthly mentorship circles
45 minutes with themed discussions
Training
8-hour mentor training
All mentors complete training covering youth development, active listening, and mandatory reporting
Monthly Themes
June
Getting to Know You
- Interest inventory and goal-setting
- "About Me" collage creation
- Trust-building exercises
July
Growth Mindset
- "Yet" wall: things I can’t do... yet
- Famous failures research project
- Effort vs. talent discussion
August
Friendship & Belonging
- Friendship qualities brainstorm
- Inclusive behavior pledges
- Community circle sharing
September
Resilience & Grit
- Obstacle course metaphor activity
- Personal challenge stories
- Bounce-back strategies toolkit
October
Gratitude & Kindness
- Gratitude letters to important people
- Random acts of kindness challenge
- Thankfulness tree display
November
Identity & Culture
- Heritage sharing presentations
- Cultural food and story exploration
- "I Am" poetry writing
December
Giving Back
- Holiday service project planning
- Gift-making workshop for community
- Year-in-review reflection
January
New Year, New Goals
- Vision board creation
- SMART goal setting workshop
- Accountability partner assignments
February
Empathy & Understanding
- Perspective-taking exercises
- Empathy mapping activities
- Community helper interviews
March
Courage & Confidence
- Public speaking practice
- "Brave moment" sharing circle
- Confidence affirmation cards
April
Teamwork & Collaboration
- Team problem-solving challenges
- Collaborative art project
- Reflection on team dynamics
May
Celebration & Legacy
- Year-end mentorship portfolio
- Thank-you letters to mentors
- Graduation and celebration ceremony
Sample Activities
Included in: Premier · All-Access