Proud Accomplishment...

Every year the Maryland Mentoring Partnership hosts “MentorZing”. This yearly event was organized to highlight the achievements of mentoring Programs throughout the state of Maryland.

The Focus Mentoring Program was invited to MentorZing to receive the "Excellence in Mentoring" Award from the Maryland Mentoring Partnership. The event was held in Baltimore at the Waterfront Marriott on April 30th 2009. The affair attracted government officials, youth, as well as business owners from the entire state of Maryland. There were over 400 people in attendance including Marian Heard of the National Mentoring Partnership, Michael Phelps, 8 time Olympic Gold Medalist, and Selwyn Ray, the Executive Director of Maryland Mentoring Partnership. They all gave speeches to encourage us to continue to operate in excellence.

Thank you to all of our mentors who are the real recipients of this award!

The F.O.C.U.S. Mentoring Program

The FOCUS Mentoring Program is the vision of Rev. Monica Blackford under the umbrella of The Focus Center, Inc.

For the past 15 years, Rev. Blackford has been a pioneer in the youth development movement. To her credit, she has held several positions as Director of Programs for youth; with a demonstration of her passion for youth and her determination to help them to succeed in life.

This mentoring program is designed to help youth gain a more positive perception of their ability to achieve their goals. Her motto is:

"Follow One Course Until Success"

Funded by the U.S. Department of Education
Partnering with the Baltimore Mayor's Office of Children,
Youth and Families

Vision

The FOCUS Mentoring Program exists to empower, enlighten and enhance teens to become academically, socially, and behaviorally successful by encouraging them to follow one course until success. We aim to replicate the program on a national scale to accommodate over 300 youth.

Mission

To support pre-teens in maximizing their full potential in the areas of academic achievement and social responsibility through guided mentoring and training.

Program Description

The FOCUS Mentoring Program is a guided mentoring initiative that targets pre-teens ages 9 - 14 who hail from households involving single and/or incarcerated parents. The program provides pre-teens with a strategic focus on identifying and completing goals in the areas of academic, social, and behavioral success.

We aim to increase educational performance, influence how youth perceive their role in accepting social responsibility, and to reduce any destructive behavior patterns. These outcomes will be monitored through a collaboration with our partner, the Mayor's Office of Children, Youth and Families, schools, and parents/caregivers.

:: Become A Mentor Today

:: The Focus Center

:: Upcoming Events

Joining The FOCUS Mentoring Program fills a void, fills a heart, and fills the academic, social, and emotional needs of YOUTH across the City of Baltimore.

Call us today 410-444-2006
Click Here to download the Mentoring Application

The Place To Refresh Your Soul
"We focus on optimizing human potential by connecting people to God, providing relevant training in which to serve and heal our communities". Jeremiah 29:11

- Welcome New and Existing Mentors and Mentees September 19, 2009

- Mentor and Mentee Workshop October 24, 2009

- Mentor Training
November 14, 2009