Local youth program outlines decade of mentorship and asks council for referrals and support

Alex Craighead, executive director and co-founder of Journeyman/1 Village, told the council the group focuses on rites of passage and group mentorship for young people across the region and asked the council to help spread the word and provide referrals. He said the program has expanded over ten years and "this year alone, we've reached over almost 500 students through our experiences, almost a 115 educators," and described weekly circles in schools and leadership training for students and staff.

Craighead said the program aims to build belonging and resilience rather than just academic outcomes, and he told members the group would welcome endorsements or an introductory letter from the council to help secure partnerships and funding. He offered printed impact reports and said he would match an initial community funder contribution up to $500, a fundraising prompt several attendees responded to with small donations during the meeting.