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Project Y.E.S. (Youth Experiencing Success)

Welcome to Project Y.E.S. - a vibrant mentorship initiative designed specifically for students in the crucial stages of fourth and fifth grade.

At the heart of Project Y.E.S. lies our mission: to weave a strong sense of belonging and connection among students with their school community and peers, fostering a nurturing environment where every child feels valued and understood.

Mentorship stands at the forefront of our program, providing a guiding light for our young participants through the dedicated support of experienced mentors. These mentors, passionate about making a difference, work closely with students to ignite their potential in academics and beyond.

Whether referred by teachers, counselors, administrators, or caring parents and guardians, every student in Project Y.E.S. embarks on a journey of growth and discovery. Our weekly meetings are more than just gatherings; they are a blend of academic enrichment, community service projects, team-building exercises, and leadership development activities, all carefully curated to inspire and empower.

Join us at Project Y.E.S., where mentorship transforms lives, builds leaders, and creates a lasting impact on our students and their communities.

Schools

  • Alice West Fleet
  • Arlington Science Focus
  • Ashlawn
  • Barrett
  • Barcroft
  • Campbell
  • Carlin Springs
  • Glebe
  • Hoffman-Boston
  • Innovation
  • Escuela Key
  • Long Branch
  • Oakridge
  • Randolph
  • Taylor

Building Coordinators

Mentorship is a dynamic relationship that extends beyond the classroom. It’s about fostering both personal and professional growth. A mentor helps students discover their strengths, work on their weaknesses, and develop a roadmap for success.

Building Coordinators play a crucial role in Project Y.E.S. (Youth Experiencing Success), ensuring mentor compliance, managing program logistics, and fostering communication between schools and the county program. They handle monthly reporting, oversee the program’s budget and resources, and attend county-wide meetings to align with our mission’s goals.

A key aspect of their role includes supporting the implementation of goal planning and reflection within the Y.E.S. club. By assisting mentors in guiding students to set and reflect on their personal and academic goals—be it weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or quarterly—they help enhance students’ self-awareness, motivation, responsibility, and decision-making skills. These goals, encompassing both academic and non-academic objectives, are communicated with parents, school counselors, and teachers, fostering a collaborative environment for student empowerment.

Furthermore, Building Coordinators contribute to our community’s engagement by providing timely updates, photos for our digital platforms, and information on upcoming projects and family activities. Through their dedicated efforts, Building Coordinators ensure the Project Y.E.S. experience is rich, impactful, and aligned with our mission to empower learners to take active roles in their education and personal growth.

Mentors

Mentorship within Project Y.E.S. (Youth Experiencing Success) transcends the conventional, embodying a transformative journey of growth for both mentors and students. Selected by principals for their positivity, engagement, and unwavering commitment, our mentors are school-based educators who embody the essence of guidance and support. They are not just teachers but advocates, dedicating themselves to the personal and professional development of each Y.E.S. student.

Our mentors are instrumental in building strong, foundational relationships, offering academic support during weekly sessions, and meticulously tracking and fostering students’ academic journeys. They bridge the gap between school and home, maintaining open lines of communication with both teachers and parents, ensuring a holistic approach to each student’s success. Beyond the classroom, mentors are keen on bolstering student engagement through attendance tracking and addressing absences proactively to keep students on track.

Family engagement is a cornerstone of our mentorship approach, with mentors organizing meaningful activities that bring families together, strengthening the community bond. These range from the initial Family Kick-Off Event to memorable End-of-Year celebrations, alongside planning and executing community service activities that instill a sense of responsibility and connection to the wider community.

Moreover, mentors spearhead at least one STEM activity, nurturing curiosity and innovation, and they are pivotal in the goal-setting process, guiding students in defining clear, actionable objectives. These goals, which encompass academic and personal aspirations, are shared quarterly with the student’s support network, fostering a collaborative environment for growth.

In essence, Project Y.E.S. mentors are the backbone of a program deeply committed to empowering students to become self-directed, engaged learners, ready to navigate the complexities of their futures with confidence and resilience.

Contact Us

Yasmin Belinfontie-Rice

CTE Testing & Project Y.E.S. Coordinator

703-228-7212

yasmin.belinfont@apsva.us

Syphax Education Center
Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education
2110 Washington Blvd. Arlington, VA 22204

Follow us on Twitter @APS_ProjectYES