History
Monarch Mentorship Program
The Monarch Mentorship Program matched children from the Monarch Apartment Complex in Southeast Austin with a university student or young professional who served as a positive role model and link to the mainstream community. In 1994, 24 mentors faithfully committed themselves on a weekly basis to 12 Monarch youth (Monarch Butterfly After-School Youth Program Guide, 1997). Mentors and children were matched together by the Children's Outreach Coordinator. Mentors worked with the parents to determine appropriate activities for the child and were provided a $30 stipend to be used for involving the children in activities such as movies, concerts, trips to the park, and tours of various sites around Austin. Experiences with mentors were said to develop the children's abilities to communicate with adults, as well as enhance their connection with the community.
Recreational Activities Project
The Recreational Activities Project enabled homeless youth to participate in community sponsored cultural and athletic activities. This project was structured to cover the registration costs for two athletic and/or cultural activities per child. The program also covered cost of supplies and equipment, such as cleats, baseball gloves, etc. During the 1993-94 school year, seven children registered and participated in sport leagues and nature camps in Austin.
Special Events Project
The Special Events Project sponsored one-time events to help homeless children celebrate holidays in the same degree and manner as "mainstream" children. The projects focus was to prevent homeless children's economic status from diminishing their social awareness and interaction. Seventy-five children participated in this program during the 1993-94 school year. Volunteers from the University of Texas and St. Edward's University provided supervision for these events, which included a fall festival and a winter celebration. Children made their own costumes, played games and went on a field trip.