Group mentoring is a powerful tool for community connection and violence prevention. Identified as a unique new solution for increasing community violence, group mentoring creates safe spaces for young people and redirects youth toward healthy outlets. It’s about equipping young people to create healthy relationships, make less risky choices, and improve their own lifelong outcomes. We survey young people as we build these programs to determine areas where they need additional support or intervention.
Our group mentoring programs are partnerships between BBBSPS, Credible Messengers, the City of Tacoma, Pierce County, Tacoma Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Credible Messengers have lived experience in the justice system and have changed their lives for the better, devoting their time to helping divert young people toward healthier paths.