echo

Echo

Informational text taken from the Action Council of Monterey Web site.

Want to have FUN, go on TRIPS, and make new FRIENDS?
Want to learn more about GOING TO COLLEGE and CAREERS?
Interested in participating in WORSKHOPS that will help you PLAN for a SUCCESSFUL FUTURE?

ECHO (Education - Careers - Health - Opportunities) is a group mentoring project developed by graduates of the Women’s Health Leadership Program. The mentor/advocates are committed to developing leadership skills among sophomores and juniors from local high schools to encourage them to pursue post-secondary education and plan for future careers. Four women serve in each site, working one-on-one and in small groups with young women in a year-long program that includes a series of interactive educational modules, guest speakers, field trips and community action projects.

“These women [mentors] were professionals we saw as role models… It was hard for us to imagine being professional because we did not see it in our families... Sadly, our parents had not received a higher education or education at all. They were brought up to work in the field. Luckily, we had the mentors because they gave us the impression that if they made it, we could also make it. Whenever we had doubts, problems with schools or family dilemmas, our mentors were always there for us. We never doubted their trust.”

ECHO is designed to encourage education beyond high school.

ECHO promotes leadership skills.

ECHO allows time for girls to learn and practice public speaking

ECHO encourages goal setting and empowerment.

ECHO graduates can become Senior Peer Leaders, who can co-facilitate the modules and activities for the mentoring and Smart Choices programs.

ECHO graduates can also become Teen Teachers in Will Power/Won’t Power facilitator and will mentor and educate middle school girls on assertiveness skills, resisting peer pressure, increase knowledge of reproduction, anatomy, STD’s HIV/AIDS, learn values-base reason for postponing intercourse, identify characteristics of healthy relationships and media influence.

ECHO keeps in touch with graduates of the program to inform them about scholarship and training opportunities, and to track their progress.

Over the course of the year, the young women will attend 10 program sessions, which cover such topics as career choices; basic health care; sexuality; families culture and how they shape our attitudes; planning for college education, public speaking and entering the workplace. They also go on field trips to visit college and view the State Legislature in action.
Click here for ECHO Curriculum

Why a mentoring project?
By drawing upon their own life experiences, the mentors provide a living example of the importance of post-secondary education, particularly for students who do not have access to anyone with firsthand experience of what it is like to go to college. Mentors play a vital role by inspiring the teens to maintain interest in school and see the link between their studies and their futures.

Is the mentoring program successful?
As of December 2003, ECHO has graduated 104 young women. Of those who were high school seniors 87% are attending college, the majority at Cal State or University of California campuses. The remaining participants are working full-time because of economic reasons, but indicate a desire to return to school.

The young women who participate in the Mentoring program consistently express their satisfaction with the end result of the program. The young women feel that the program has helped them think about their future and goals. They are more driven and confident that they will attend college. As young women look to make decisions about college, health, jobs and careers, the mentoring provides them valuable support by hearing from women who went through the same decision processes.

Interested in Joining? Click Here to download and print an application.

For more information about ECHO and POSTPONE you can also click on http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/postpone/Default.htm.