Measurable Program Goals

1. Regular participation

2. Increased reading level

3. Improved grades

4. Increased confidence that effort equals outcome

1. Increased sense of self
   This occurs through various activities that facilitate self understanding, celebration of differences, and strength assessment.

2. Increased use of school and community resources
   This occur through collaboration with Anne Arundel County Public Schools and numerous community partners. Discover Your Story staff and volunteers are solution oriented and collaborate with youth and their families to identify and overcome barriers to academic, social, physical and emotional health.

3. Expanded interests
   This occurs because programming provides new experiences and works to create a safe climate in which youth are able to take healthy risks.

4. Improved grades
   This occurs through participants' increased use of after school help days, Parent Connect, and linkage to resources for challenge areas (e.g., study skills, homework completion, math).

5. Increased participation in positive extracurricular activities aligned with student interest
   This occurs through personalized goal setting, scholarships obtained/coordinated by Charting Careers, and transportation provided through background-checked volunteers and staff.

6. Increased protective factors and reduced risk factors
   This is accomplished by Discover Your Story bringing in partners who provide research-based, youth development programming on a variety of topics including relationship skills, healthy decision making, drug refusal skills, pregnancy prevention, etc. Protective factors are also enhanced through the provision of individual mentoring. Through collaboration with Annapolis Middle School and Community Transition, LLC, programming is provided after-school.

YOUTH

1. Improved grades
   This occurs through participants' increased use of after school help days, Parent Connect, and linkage to resources for challenge areas (e.g., study skills, homework completion, math). Mentors also nurture and encourage academic success.

2. Increased participation in positive extracurricular activities aligned with student interest
   This occurs through personalized goal setting, scholarships obtained/coordinated by Charting Careers, and transportation provided through background-checked volunteers and staff.

3. Increased protective factors and reduced risk factors
   This is accomplished by Create Your Story bringing in partners who provide research-based, youth development programming on a variety of topics including relationship skills, healthy decision making, drug refusal skills, pregnancy prevention, etc. Protective factors are also enhanced through the provision of individual mentoring. Through collaboration with Annapolis High School, programming is provided weekly during the school day and as needed during after-school and weekend hours.

4. Obtainment of a paid job or unpaid internship
   Create Your Story staff and volunteers help each participant identify a paid job or unpaid internship they would like to secure once they turn 16. Programming focuses on creating a plan to ensure success, including identification of personal strengths, interviewing skills, and an accessible location. Once the job or internship is obtained, mentors and staff help youth work through challenges as they emerge.

5. Graduate from high school and initiate the success plan they created through Charting Careers. This can include community college, 4-year college, certificate program, military, or a paid job that matches the youth's areas of career interest.
   Create Your Story staff and volunteers develop partnerships with local businesses and internships, bring youth to local career fairs, take students on college tours, and assist with college and job applications. Through mentoring and peer relationships, participants develop new social networks.

MENTORS

1. Develop new relationships
   This occurs through group mentor/mentee events and because mentors are part of a team of people supporting each youth.

2. Feel more connected and like an agent of change in their community
   Volunteers are educated on needs within our community and connected to the One Annapolis initiative. New networks are built through partnering organizations, businesses, schools, and donors. Through these new connections, both youth and adults feel more connected and able to influence positive change.

3. Increased self awareness and reflection
   Mentor training and ongoing support through the Mentor Coordinator involves formal and informal practices of self reflection, feedback and goal setting.

1. Completion of college or credentialing program

2. Full-time job obtainment

3. Independent living

4. Drivers license.