“IAM” is a mentoring program whose overall mission is to globally impact and impart values, balance, and character into young women, who will, in turn, do the same in their own communities.
Having worked as a mentor throughout her community and school system, Eboni Stembridge established “IAM” in 2010. In 2011, Ms. Stembridge partnered with Reka Jones to further develop IAM into a community-based mentoring program for young women, grades 8th through 12th, as an active avenue to help guide them to reaching their full potentials, and securing a grounded future for themselves, as active, and influential women in society.
The objectives of “IAM” are as follows:
Self Esteem: Self Esteem has become a national crisis in this country in regards of the level of respect that young women have for themselves, and how they view their roles in society. The majority of girls (seven in ten) feel that they do not measure up or are not worthy based on their looks, performance in school, unhealthy relationships, and lack of knowledge, and/or guidance. “IAM” focuses on building self esteem in ALL young women by helping them recognize, embrace and appreciate their self-worth, in order to place value on who they believe they can become.
Education: (Academic Success): “IAM” places a large emphasis on the importance of education. Our goal is to get the young women that we mentor to understand the value and why it is so important that they perform well and take advantage of their educations, in order to have various choices of furthering their careers, and obtaining the goals that they have set for themselves. We want them to know that if this done, their opportunities to achieve greatness are limitless.
Career: (Career Exploration): Today’s job market is extremely volatile, as the unemployment rate has been at it’s highest in the past few years, especially in the African-American communities. We want young girls to become as viable as possible in order to compete in the future job market and to also explore entrepreneurship.
Finance: (Financial Literacy) In today’s economic crunch, it is important that the younger generation understands and are coherent about “Money Matters”, in order to build a secured future for themselves and their families. Not understanding banking, investing, and learning to manage money as been a major downfall or setback in the African-American communities, as we have put limits on our financial powers. (i.e., owning financial institutions, having access to powerful money making decisions, and the lack of knowledge on how to obtain these roles)
In order to meet these objectives, we will incorporate workshops, bi-weekly sessions, field trips, classes, open forums, learning projects, and community service.
Statement Of Work
“IAM” groups will meet twice a month for 2 hours hours at various locations throughout the year. Group interactions are designed to build sisterhood, life long relationships with long-term results. During each group interaction we will:
- Teach girls to respect themselves at all times
- Promote health and sanitary upkeep
- Build self-esteem, and promote sisterhood
- Offer activities that are exciting, entertaining and educational
- Create an environment where girls can converse openly and freely and to be themselves. To express themselves in regards to planning for their futures, and the adverse situations that they face in their daily lives
- Offer activities that build leadership while lending a listening ear and constructive criticism
- Encourage girls to embrace their unique qualities
- Build character and confidence under the guidance and tutelage of caring and dedicated mentors