The Background & Ground Youth Mentorship Program is a culturally responsive mentorship initiative created by Project ELIKYA to support immigrant and first-generation youth as they navigate identity, education, emotional wellbeing, leadership, and life transitions.
I am an African Child
- My SSN says “born is the USA, therefore I’m American. This wasn’t my choice
- My parents say “You are African”. And I’m proud of my roots, believe me. Grandpa and grandma are my role model!
- Everybody asks me “Where are you from? I proudly tell them who my parents are.
- I say I’m both but nobody understands me. So what if I can reconcile both worlds in my own way and still make my parents proud?
“My parents taught me to be confident, work hard, and never doubt my worth. They wanted me to believe that I could achieve anything. Yet I sometimes feel caught between two worlds. While I am encouraged to succeed in the society around me, I also feel culturally blamed when I talk, act, or make choices that reflect the environment in which I was raised. It leaves me wondering: How can I be fully myself when part of my identity is constantly being questioned?”
Join Our Youth Mentorship Program
The program connects youth with trusted mentors who provide guidance, encouragement, academic support, emotional support, and positive role modeling while helping participants build confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of belonging. “Background” represents staying connected to culture, values, and identity, while “Ground” symbolizes growing, leading, opportunities in the U.S.
Youth are paired with trained mentors based on shared interests, language, culture, career goals, or lived experiences.
Goals
- Support the emotional and social wellbeing of immigrant youth
- Build confidence, self-esteem, and leadership skills
- Provide positive mentorship and role models
- Promote academic success and future planning
- Strengthen cultural identity and community connection
- Reduce isolation and increase belonging
who we serve
- Immigrants of African descents and first-generation youth ages 12–21
- African and diaspora youth seeking mentorship opportunities
- Youth navigating cultural adjustment and identity challenges
- Youth experiencing academic, emotional, or social stressors
Mentor Responsibilities
- Meet with mentees consistently (biweekly or monthly)
- Provide emotional encouragement and guidance
- Support academic and personal goal-setting
- Promote positive decision-making and leadership
- Maintain confidentiality and healthy boundaries
Activities
- Goal-setting sessions
- Academic support
- Career conversations
- Community service projects
who are our mentors
- Professionals (all ages)
- College students
- Community leaders
- Educators and counselors
- Individuals with immigrant or first-generation experiences
Mentor qualities
- Culturally-related mentorship
- Cultural humility and sensitivity
- Youth communication skills
- Healthy boundaries and ethics
| Activity | Frequency |
| One-on-One Mentorship Meetings | Biweekly |
| Group Mentorship Circles | Monthly |
| Leadership Workshops | Monthly |
| Family Engagement Events | Quarterly |
| Community Service Projects | Quarterly |
| Youth Celebration & Recognition Event | Annually |
