Everything You Need to Know about Eva's GEM Program!
We are now accepting both MENTOR and MENTEE applications! Links in article!
Eva’s GEM (Girl Empowerment & Mentoring) Program is a national virtual mentorship program (centered in Chicago, IL) consisting of classes offered to Black/African-American girls various resources to help them throughout their lifetime. Eva’s GEM Program starts THIS summer on June 5th, 2021, and runs until August 28th, 2021 (with the observation of Juneteenth). Our mission stems from the overarching Eva’s Home mission to educate and empower young Black/African-American girls through education of various topics not taught in public schools.
We plan to achieve this mission through our classes. Eva’s GEM Program will be 12-weeks (June 5th, 2021through August 28th, 2021), meeting on Saturday mornings 10 AM CT-12 PM CT. There are four classes. The girls will be broken up into four groups and go through the different weekly sessions for each of the 4 classes. Below are the classes and their weekly sessions. These classes will be held on Zoom.
MENTORS
We are NOW accepting MENTOR applications. The applications are DUE April 15th, 2021. Click here to apply!
Mentor Requirements:
1. Be 21 years of age or older.
2. Participate in the interview process.
3. Complete a background check at the time of the interview. (Decided on a case-by-case basis.)
4. Meet with their assigned mentees 1x a week outside the optional Sunday portion of the program.
5. Be dedicated to providing emotional and educational support to youth.
6. Be willing to share personal experiences with mentees.
7. Be able to dedicate hours 2hrs per month for mentor meetings between May and September over the program.
8. Create a schedule with their mentee(s), including weekly check-ins, optional sessions they plan on attending.
9. Complete various activities with your mentees based on the classes in the program.
10. Sign a Mentor Information Release Form to give your information to mentees and their parents/guardians.
Email info@evashome.org with any questions!
MENTEES
We are NOW accepting MENTEE applications. The applications are DUE April 15th, 2021. Click here to apply!
Mentees will receive a package with a journal, a handbook with guest speakers, and more! There is also a scholarship opportunity for all mentees! Scholarship requirements will be announced at a later date.
Mentee Requirements:
1. Be an incoming freshman in high school, currently in high school, or complete high school at the end of the school year.
2. Meet with their assigned mentees 1x a week outside the optional Sunday portion of the program.
3. Try their best to participate in session discussions and fill out accompanying the interactive workbook
4. Be willing to share personal experiences with mentors.
5. Create a schedule with their mentor, including weekly check-ins, optional sessions they plan on attending.
6. Complete various activities with your mentors based on the classes in the program.
7. Sign Eva’s GEM Program’s Pledge of Excellence.
Parents/Guardians will receive a handbook that includes class descriptions and guest speakers, requirements, a calendar, requirements from mentees, and the pledge that every mentee takes.
Eva's GEM Program Classes
1. Taking Care of You
Taking Care of Self
Learn how to implement self-care into your daily routine and learn the benefits of knowing and taking yourself mentally, physically, and spiritually.
Taking Care of Your Mental Health
Discuss the importance of mental health and what that means and learn about how stress and grief can manifest themselves and different strategies to limit/reduce stress and promote healthy mental health.
Taking Care of Your Feminine Health
Learn about changes your body is currently going through and will go through, caring for your body, and protecting yourself.
2. Financial Literacy
The Basics of Budgeting and Savings & Activity
Learn about the basics of budgeting, saving, and emergency fund. At the end of the class, the girls will go through an interactive activity to show them how to put these lessons to work.
Learning about Credit and Debit
Discuss the difference between credit and debit accounts and the cost of credit and loans. Girls will go through an interactive activity to show them how to put these lessons to work.
What about Financial Aid?
Learn about financial steps that come with planning for the cost of college, adulting, and taxes.
3. What is your next move, education-wise?
Learning about a College Education
Discuss with current college students and graduates from various universities various topics about college, such as going to school during the pandemic, what the speakers would have liked to know when choosing a school and going off to college, and any other questions mentees bring to the session.
Learning about Entrepreneurship
Discuss with various entrepreneurs their top 5 tips about starting their business. The struggles they endured when starting and how they overcame these struggles. Girls can ask the panel any other questions that they have.
Learning about the Military and Trade School
Discuss with military personnel and trade school graduates the top five reasons they decided to go into their field and what they are doing now.
4. Know Your Rights
Rights in Domestic Relationships
Learn about your rights in different personal relationships.
Rights of Juveniles
Children sometimes believe they do not have rights as children and are denied these rights because they don’t have them. Learn about these general rights.
Rights When Stopped by Law Enforcement
In America, systemic racial and gender issues stifle the relationship between law enforcement and Black Americans. This class will prepare our girls for a potential stop by law enforcement through education.
Email us if you have any questions!