teen mentor project
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about the teen mentor Project
Teen Mentor Project (TMP) aspires to remedy school failure, close information gaps, and strengthen academic and vocational skills for students in the African refugee community. Currently, twenty participating students range from grades nine to recent high school graduates. TMP boosts knowledge, skills, and accomplishments using culturally relevant curricula, computers, and suitable learning materials to develop competencies in English, math, and science. Students interested in vocational or higher education opportunities can receive training in researching options and admission requirements, identifying employment opportunities, and developing skills in finding and applying for work. Access to ASO workspace and mentors is available to these students.
Who Are The Teens?
Many African students come from vulnerable African asylum-seeking families and might lack guidance on taking school seriously, identifying and accomplishing goals, and working hard to meet them. Further, many students grew up speaking native languages in their homes or homelands with English and Hebrew now as second and/or third languages.
While participation in TMP is voluntary, students must demonstrate discipline and drive to do their best. Initially, ASO introduced TMP to staff and students at Bialik-Rogozin School because it educates the highest percentage of African students in Israel. Information about ASO reached students at other schools through word of mouth.
Currently, twelve students attend or graduated from Bialik-Rogozin School, and six more attend or graduated from three more Tel Aviv schools including Herzliya Hebrew Gymnasium, Ironi Aleph High School, and Ironi Tet High School. TMP also works with students at Hoshen School in Jerusalem and Rabin High School in Eilat.
the teens
Who Are The Mentors?
Two types of ASO members lead TMP: mentors and volunteer instructors. ASO staff are mentors who give one-on-one guidance, coordinate meetings, schedule educational sessions, and when appropriate connect students with opportunities to explore post-secondary academic or vocational education. Instructors are volunteer English speakers from Tel Aviv University, Young Judaea, and others who teach after-school educational sessions twice a week. These sessions take place at the ASO office in WeWork on Schocken Street, Tel Aviv. Volunteers are recruited, coordinated, and directed by ASO staff that schedules them and assigns roles for what they instruct, and when. Instructors use a customized curriculum at multiple language learning levels and report progress to the mentors.
ASO staff & volunteers
TMP
core programs
AFTER SCHOOL LEARNING
After school Learning for African Refugee Youth in Israel aspires to remedy school failure and close information gaps. For 25 students in grades 2-6, boost knowledge, skills, and accomplishments using culturally relevant curricula, computers, and suitable learning materials in safe, quiet, and attractive physical spaces. For up to 30 students in grades 10 – 12, introduce academic, vocational, and higher education program opportunities and train to meet criteria and admission requirements as well as field trips to educational institutions.
MENTORING
Mentors teach teens (grades 10-12) to meet criteria and requirements for academic, vocational, and higher education programs.
Once students’ language skills are at grade 12 level mentors introduce them to pre- academic college and vocational program opportunities. Mentors and students together decide the best action plans for students’ immediate futures. If they decide that the student is a good fit for pre-academic college programs, the mentors help them to follow the application process, track application due dates and deliverables, and obtain scholarships for required payments such as application fees and tuition.
PRE-ACADEMIC PREPARATION
In 2022, ASO partners with Ben Gurion University’s (BGU) “Gateway to Academia,” a one-semester pre-academic program that provides English, Hebrew, math, and science education courses. Admission requires successful test scores in English, math, and Hebrew. Tel Aviv University (TAU) offers the “TAKA: Prep Program For Academic Hebrew” which includes 60 hours of English instruction. ASO collaborates with both universities to ensure that payments, communications, and information about the pre- academic programs do not discourage student applicants. ASO arranges field trips to BGU, TAU, and Reichman University (IDC/Herzliya) campuses to meet school representatives who lead guided tours and answer questions.
VOCATIONAL TRAINING
When students express interest in vocational options such as electrician and plumber, ASO offers sessions on identifying employment possibilities in Israel, exploring personal interests, developing CVs in workshops, public speaking, and enhancing social skills. ASO introduces vocational training institutions such as Atid International, an Israeli-based network.
Who are The Partners?
ASO partners with several universities and arranges field trips to the campuses to meet school representatives who answer questions and lead guided tours.
Bar-Ilan University’s (BIU) “Mechina” offers a pre-academic preparatory program for high school graduates with a required intensive Hebrew course during a six-week summer session for applicants testing at basic Hebrew levels. A full-year course in simplified Hebrew offers a broad spectrum of subjects including Judaic studies, Math, Hebrew, and elective courses.
Ben Gurion University’s (BGU) “Gateway to Academia,” a one-semester pre-academic program that provides English, Hebrew, math, and science education courses. Admission requires successful test scores in English, math, and Hebrew.
Tel Aviv University (TAU) offers the “TAKA: Prep Program For Academic Hebrew” which includes 60 hours of English instruction. ASO collaborates with both universities to ensure that payment, communication, and information related to the pre-academic programs are not barriers for student applicants.
Colleges & universities
Requirements to join TMP
meet these three requirements
then contact us
bagrut required
psychometric required
application required
hear from our Graduates
“A native-born Israeli partly raised in Nigeria I graduated from Bialik High School with excellence. Initially, I met setbacks in the university yet I pushed through and successfully and will graduate next year with a BA in Digital Society Studies from Tel Aviv University. Many people and organizations helped throughout my studies including ASO that provided financial and moral support. I’ve learned a lot during these 5 years and thankfully got to practice my professional skills as the ASO Chief Marketing Officer.”
Precious UdohTel Aviv University, Bialik-Rogozin School, Tel Aviv
Abdul “dreamed of higher education though as a kid from a difficult area in Sudan, it looked impossible. When I met ASO, they helped and encouraged me to achieve my dream, and 4 years of hard work at The Academic College at Wingate paid off. With a BA degree, my future is bright with professional opportunities such as football manager and personal trainer.”
Abdul Hassan BasidAcademic College at Wingate, Bialik-Rogozin School, Tel Aviv
Age 27, Chisom was born in Nigeria, arrived in Israel, “When I graduated from Bialik Rogozin High School, I sought a scholarship from IDC/Herzliya (now Reichman University) unsuccessfully. Luckily, I met Taj Haroun, a co-founder of ASO who introduced me to the organization, which helped secure a scholarship throughout my college years. With a BA degree in Interactive Communications, I am happy to be a member of ASO till today.”
Chisom Victoria Jude Reichman University (IDC Herzliya), Bialik-Rogozin School, Tel Aviv
Age 25 born in Tel Aviv, Israel, “I am studying at Afeka College of Engineering for a bachelor's degree in computer science. During high school, I invested only in subjects I liked and would do homework for them after school while other subjects I would study the day before a test. When I started college, I realized this practice must end and that I would have to invest equally in all courses. The second semester I improved in my studies and grew to enjoy learning new things. These changes required much discipline and practice. The African Students Organization embraces me in an educational framework by helping me financially, and leveraging skills related to the degree for which I am studying.”
Phylis MianAfeka Academic College of Engineering, Bialik-Rogozin School, Tel Aviv
Age 22, Salam was born in Sudan, “My mom from Eritrea and dad from Ethiopia raised me and both siblings. When I was age 8, the family left Sudan because it had become dangerous; in 2008, we arrived in Israel.” Here, Salam completed elementary school and graduated from high school when she became frustrated, “Because as a refugee I had few options to advance and learn in academic institutions. A friend told me about ASO, and through the organization won the chance to study at the Seminar Kibbutzim College for three beautiful years. I hope that, I will be able to finish my degree and get a teaching certificate in art.”
Salam MamushaKibbutzim College of Education, Bialik-Rogozin School, Tel Aviv
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