We had an incredible National Mentoring Month, celebrating the power of mentoring and relationships! In January, we amplified mentoring by sharing mentoring on social media, advocated for mentoring on Capitol Hill Day, and explored how we can grow and enhance the power of mentoring at the National Mentoring Summit. Thank you to all of you for celebrating mentoring with us in January and all year long!

Now, we are excited to head into Black History Month! This is an important time and we encourage our mentoring matches to engage with each other as they celebrate and explore Black history. In this email, you will find conversation starters and fun & free activities around DC to celebrate Black History Month with your match.

We have a lot happening this month, so be sure to check out details about our upcoming match social, our 2024 scholarship workshop, the Summer Youth Employment Program, and activities for you to do with you match!

CONVERSATION STARTERS | Black History Month

During the month of February, we highlight, acknowledge, and rejoice in Black history. Use this time to discover something fresh about Black culture and history, and share your findings with your match

1. What makes diversity and inclusion important in today's world?
2. How can we draw awareness to Black issues and achievements beyond Black History Month?
3. In what ways can we strive to eliminate prejudice and discrimination in our own lives?

For more conversation starters, tools, and resources check out our Mentoring Road Map. We're also working on updating our Mentoring Road Map with new tools and resources! Check out expanded communication and career exploration resources and keep an eye out for more this month!

MATCH SOCIALS | January Recap & February Event

January Event Recap

During January's match social, we participated as volunteers in the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. peace walk and parade. Our contribution involved beautifying the community through the cleanup of different areas, including Anacostia Park. Thank you to all who attended despite the snowy weather!

February Match Social at Movement Gym

Join us for our upcoming match social on Saturday, February 10th from 11:30AM-2PM at Movement Gym in Crystal City! Enjoy a free afternoon of rock climbing and bouldering, guided by an instructor. Please reach out to your staff contact if you would like to attend as space is limited.

As a reminder, we will be hosting Monthly Match Socials to give matches the opportunity to connect and meet more frequently in person. If you have an idea for a match social, let your staff contact know.

As always, keep an eye on our Events Page for upcoming socials, PowerUp! Events and other things happening around the DC community.

SAVE THE DATE | 2024 MI@KP Scholarship Workshop

Monday, February 19th at 11AM-1PM

The Mentors, Inc. @ Kid Power Scholarship is almost here! We will be releasing our scholarship application on Monday, February 19th during our annual scholarship workshop.

All are welcome to explore available scholarships and learn to identify scholarships and funding available to them for post-secondary education. Graduating seniors will get an early look at our scholarship application for an opportunity to earn up to $8000 toward post-secondary education.

RSVP for the scholarship workshop HERE. Please contact Kaitlin Putnam, senior program director, at kaitlin@kidpowerdc.org or your staff contact with any questions about our scholarship opportunities!

SCHOLARSHIP SPOTLIGHT | Common App Scholarship

Amount: $2,000

Deadline: February 29th, 2024

Awards Available: 3

Scholarship Description:

The "Common App Scholarship" aims to provide access to education and financial assistance to students for their educational expenses, including tuition, books, and other school-related costs. Furthermore, it seeks to encourage students to dedicate more time to preparing for the Common App when applying to colleges and universities.

Eligibility:

• Must be a high school junior or senior
• Attending college or university no later than October 1st, 2025
• Have achieved a GPA of 2.5 or greater during your last academic year

Applicant Must Submit:

• An application
• An essay responding to one of the essay prompts found on the application page (with a maximum limit to 700 words).

To apply, please visit HERE.

MAYOR MARION S. BARRY SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM l Applications Are Now Open

The Mayor Marion S. Barry Summer Employment Program (MBSYEP) is a six-week program that provides District youth ages 14 to 24 with enriching and constructive summer work experiences through placements in public and private sectors.

Through MBSYEP, participants will have the opportunity to:



• Earn money and gain practical work experience
• Learn and develop skills, attitudes, and competencies necessary to success in today’s work environment.
• Gain exposure to various career industries.
• Interact with professionals in the workforce. 

The application for this program is currently open but will close on March 6th. If you are interested in applying and obtaining more information, please visit here.

Kid Power SYEP Positions

Our Youth Ambassador Positions with Mentors, Inc. @ Kid Power will be paid SYEP positions. Additionally, Kid Power offers a limited number of SYEP positions each year in our Summer Leadership Academy, with a preference for Kid Power program participants and alumni. If you are interested in a Kid Power SYEP position this summer, reach out to erin@kidpowerdc.org once you have submitted your application indicating the position you are interested in.

FUN & FREE ACTIVITIES

DC Black History Film Festival

Friday, February 9th at 5:30PM-7PM

Lincoln Theatre

1215 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009

An annual celebration of Black History through film, arts and culture. Grab your free tickets here.

Afrofuturism, A History of Black Futures

Now through August 18th, 2024

National Museum of African American History & Culture

1400 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560

Using more than 100 objects from music, film, television, comic books, fashion, theater, literature and more, the museum's latest exhibition covers more than a century of Afrofuturism’s rich history of expression and investigates its impact and broad influence on American culture.

Onward and Upward

Saturday, February 3rd at 4PM

Washington National Cathedral

3101 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016

Celebrate Black History Month at the Cathedral through this inspirational evening of spoken word, dance, and music. Featuring Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel, the Katherine Smith Contemporary Dance Ensemble, the SE Tennis and Learning Center’s “Blacks in Wax.” Directed and produced by Michele Fowlin. Free and open to the public. 

Free Ticket Opportunity! Kid Power is partnered with Tickets for Kids - a program where we get free tickets to events around DC. If you are interested in going to a paid museum, catching a game at the Capital One Arena, or attending a college basketball game, reach out to your staff contact person! We will connect you with tickets!

Don't forget to stop by our events page on the Mentoring Road Map as we add new activities for you to do with your match each month!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Martha’s Table

There are several opportunities for individuals and groups to volunteer in Northwest and Southeast D.C. locations. My recommendation would be to volunteer at the Joyful Food Markets - you help kids and families pick out produce to take home with little recipes included! 

Vegetation Trimming

Gravelly Point | February 10th at 10AM-12PM

The Friends of Mount Vernon Trail will be improving the trail north of Gravelly Point. Volunteers may perform some of the following work:

• Using pruners and loppers to cut vegetation
• Using hand saws to cut tree branches
• Sweeping or using a leaf blower
• Hauling away vegetation
• Picking up trash

Crystal City Connector Cleanup

Crystal City Waterpark | February 24th at 10AM-12PM

The Friends of Mount Vernon Trail will be improving the Crystal City connector that joins to the Mount Vernon Trail. Volunteers may perform some of the following work:

• Using pruners and loppers to cut vegetation
• Using hand saws to cut tree branches
• Sweeping or using a leaf blower
• Hauling away vegetation
• Picking up trash

Habitat for Humanity - Restore

Your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a place to put your talents to work. From customer service to merchandising to event planning, Habitat ReStores offers a multitude of volunteer opportunities geared toward individual interests and skills. In addition to helping families create safe, decent, and affordable housing, you can expect a fun and rewarding time while volunteering at Habitat ReStore! It’s a great place to interact with ReStore staff and your fellow volunteers while engaging with the community. Must be 14 years or older to volunteer.