NCSE is an initiative
of the Partnership
for Families & Children.
www.pffac.org
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Bolder Options
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| Contacts (1): |
Add a new Contact to This Program |
| Jessi Strinmoen *Primary Contact* |
volunteer@bolderoptions.org |
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Date Entered: |
04/04/2005 |
| City or Cities: |
Minneapolis |
State(s): |
MN |
| Website: |
www.bolderoptions.org |
Year of Inception: |
1994
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Geographic Area Covered:
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Countywide |
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Host Agency Type:
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Target Gender:
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Male, Female |
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Target Race/Ethnicity:
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African American, American Indian, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, White |
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Target Grade:
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5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade, 9th Grade, 10th Grade |
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Target Income:
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Low-income (less than $25, 000), Middle-income ($25, 000-$50, 000) |
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Target Language:
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English, Spanish |
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Target Family Focus:
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Family-wide |
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Target Disciplinary Issues:
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Suspended youth, Expelled youth, Youth with juvenile justice involvement |
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Other Characteristics:
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Youth of age for grade but below grade level, School-based truancy professionals, Law-enforcement truancy professionals, Court-based truancy professionals
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| Description: |
Bolder Options matches at-risk youth with adult mentors to train for and complete either three 5K races or three 20-30 mile bike rides, as a way of setting goals and experiencing success. This activity-based mentoring carries over to grades & attendance, as mentors help youth with academic goals, community service goals, and relationship goals.
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| How Program is Funded: |
Combination of federal grants (Dept. of Education), local & family grants, private donations, corporate donations, charitable gambling revenue. |
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Evidence of Effectiveness:
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Internal evaluation in progress, External evaluation completed
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How do you know your program is effective: 80% of Bolder Options youth have not committed a crime or re-offended since completing the program. Bolder Options youth also list increase of self-esteem. Bolder Options also has record of much improved grades/attendance.
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What has not worked in the program any why: We are limited geographically, as we only serve Hennepin county (Minneapolis area). Expansion in the future is likely, but not immediate.
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