Poderismo: The Power of Mentorship in the Lives of Youth of Color

Rafael Avendaño

Training Description

The class aims to support youth practitioners by offering them strategies and tools for to build stronger relationships with the power of mentorship. This training will also cover current issues that youth of color face in schools, communities and societies. In addition, the class will offer effective mentorship approaches leading to more effective, happier, and successful youth and practitioners the course offers a framework for youth practitioners of all experience levels to exchange ideas, experiences and resources.

Learning Objectives

• Participants will learn in depth knowledge about mentorship and the dynamics that peer and group mentorship have in the life of youth of color whom have supportive mentors.
• Participants will learn about youth whom fall into oppressive cycles and become stigmatized, criminalized and negatively mentally affected.
• Participants will take time to learn more about youth development and empathy building strategies.

Agenda

9:00-9:20am- Introductions

9:20-9:30am- Icebreaker

9:30-10:00am- Youth of Color and the power of mentorship

10:10-10:30am- Groupthink Work Time

10:30-10:45am- Learning Examples

10:45-11:00am- Break (CEUs will not be issued for this time)

11:00-11:30am- Youth development and Empathy Building

11:30-11:45am- Group share

11:45am-12:00pm-Evaluations and Closing

Meet Our Trainer

Rafael has over a decade of experience in nonprofit management. He is currently the Executive Director of Redwood City 2020 a community organization that focuses on collective impact to support families in Redwood City and North Fair Oaks. Rafael works closely with City, County and National partners to push forth complex issues that exist in schools, communities and the overall society. Prior to his work at Redwood City 2020 Rafael was the director of the Siena Youth Center of St. Francis Center which specializes in education, art and self-expression, advocacy and health and wellness programs for youth and families. Rafael Joined the St. Francis Center in January of 2012 and was hired to help start the youth and community programs for Siena Youth Center. Rafael knows firsthand what the impact of not anything having to do after school can mean as youth programs helped him when he was a youth. He brings enthusiasm, charisma, and passion to his work of creating quality sports programs and enrichment programs for youth and adults. Rafael believes that with the support of the community, youth, and local county government working together families can achieve their dreams.

Rafael’s drive, unique teaching ability and belief in the power of mentorship have helped him inspire children and adults to find the confidence they need. Rafael currently holds his Bachelor’s in Science degree in public management with a specialization in human resources degree from Colorado State University and has earned his Master’s in organization and leadership from the University of San Francisco. On his free time Rafael loves to spend time with his wife and family, support programs that advocate towards injustice and spend time outdoors with friends and the Trips For Kids Bulldog Riders Youth Biking Club around the peninsula.

This course meets the qualifications for (3.75) BBS CEUs for LCSWs and MFTs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences & is provided by Fred Finch Youth Center, CAMFT Provider #045295.