The Urban African American Mentor Program, UAAMP, is an on campus program designed to support students by building relationships with mentor teams in helping students achieve academic and personal goals.
It is the job of the mentor to serve as a go-to person for professional guidance and for the mentee to be responsible for meeting and participating in program activities.
Mentees must have a grade point average of 2.0 and must have completed a minimum of 15 credit hours to be eligible for the program. Mentors are normally full-time Sinclair faculty and staff who serve as resources to help navigate mentees through Sinclair with ease.
Established in 2009, the program grew from the “achieving the dream initiative” to what it is today, helping African American students achieve success through focus groups and activities to help both parties connect.
One of those activities is the Blessing Bags project. This is where mentor teams will work together in filling Ziploc baggies of quart or gallon size with essential toiletries; like toothpaste, toothbrush, and deodorant.
On their commitment forms, these teams have the opinion of donating the bags to any of the non-profit organization listed on their forms. The bags will be donated to places such as YWCA, Artemis Center and Peace on Fifth.
They are designed for victims of homelessness, victims of human trafficking and anyone just leaving an abusive or unsanitary environment.
“The mentor and mentees are excited to do this,” said Kelly Smith, an assistant professor of communications and one of the coordinators of UAAMP “It is one of the most successful projects ever done.”
“The blessing bags are only affiliated with the UAAMP,” said Dona Fletcher, the chair of sociology and UAAMP coordinator. “We have brought in from 150-200 bags so will have our hands full.”
Mentor Groups also have the opportunity to have family members, friends and even their local church participate in the project. When the mentor teams have finished filling their bags, they are to bring them to UAAMP end of the year celebration event, which will take place on Thursday, April 23, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For more information on the program and its projects, please contact ESL and UAAMP coordinator Linda Pastore at Linda.pastore@sinclair.edu or reach her at 937-512-2347.
Jimaur Calhoun
Reporter