“YMWAP has changed the way I view myself and the goals I want to set forth for my life.”
Individualized success planning is a key feature of Young Man with a Plan. Research shows that teens who develop a plan for post-secondary success achieve better educational and life outcomes. At YMWAP developing the Success Plan includes identifying and refining academic and extracurricular skills and interests, exploring college and career options, and setting goals.
YMWAP combines two powerful tools--mentoring and success planning. Beginning in 10th grade young men meet regularly with their trusted YMWAP mentors and leaders to articulate their interests and aspirations. Over the course of four years they refine their goals and plans for life after high school. Along with YMWAP's financial literacy curriculum, success planning gives our young men the knowledge, tools, encouragement, and belief in themselves to envision and pursue a successful life after graduation. Success planning at YMWAP:
Provides the time, process and tools for young men to reflect on and plan for a sustainable and fulfilling future
Encourages broad exploration of careers and college majors aligned with each young man's individual skills and interests
Shows each young man that he is cared about and that his future is important
YMWAP's Success Plan template can be found here.
YMWAP helps young men understand careers through Men of Color Career Night and through introducing them to a range of career descriptions.