The Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP) is a high-tech, career-focused mentoring program for youth involved with or at risk of becoming involved with the juvenile justice system, geared toward youth with disabilities.
Career-Focused Mentoring for All Youth
Funded by several grants and led by the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL), RAMP is being implemented across the country by state and local organizations with expertise in mentoring, youth development, juvenile justice, and disability. The RAMP model uses a combination of group, peer, and one-on-one mentoring to promote the successful transition of RAMPâ„¢ youth to employment, continued learning opportunities, and independent living.
Youth participate in weekly career preparation-focused group meetings, including peer-supported goal setting and exploration of careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Each youth meets regularly one-on-one with a mentor to develop and implement an Individualized Mentoring Plan (IMP). Mentors are caring adults recruited from the community, schools, employers, and partner organizations. Youths’ families, teachers, and support network are engaged in career fairs, college visits, and extended learning activities. While in RAMP, youth have the opportunity to assess and explore their own career interests; develop a plan and set goals for their transition; create a resource map of their community’s high-tech industries; gain workplace soft skills; build resume-writing and interviewing skills; interact with employers and experience a variety of work settings; give and receive peer support; take advantage of group and personal leadership opportunities; design and build a high-tech-related team project, and most importantly… have fun!
RAMP Network Funders
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
- 9 sites
- ages 12-17
NBA Foundation
- 7 sites
- ages 14-24
VA Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services
- 3 sites
- ages 14-24
Program Outcomes
Youth enrolled in the RAMP program see outcomes exceeding in program participation, academic, and juvenile justice performance goals. Some of these key outcomes include:
Success Stories
Jackson is interested in automotive and collision repair. He has many friends and family involved in gangs and the juvenile justice system. He was also chronically absent from school and was in danger of not graduating due to low attendance and low motivation.
Jackson was referred to RAMP by his counselor and has been a participant since August 2018. His attendance was initially spotty however after a few months it improved dramatically, and he became more open with his coordinators and mentor. Jackson now attends every session and was chosen to attend the RAMP Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.
Jackson is now on track to graduate and has become invested in his future. His mentor has assisted him with creating a resume, applying to auto shops, and studying to pass his Drivers Ed test. Jackson is now the first one to raise his hand to ask questions and is highly engaged with RAMP activities. RAMP staff and teachers have witnessed him move on from a negative mindset and become a motivated and mature young man. They are incredibly proud of him.
Nadine is a bright student who dreams of becoming a criminologist. Nadine was very dedicated to her future, but she was struggling in school due to her learning disability. She had low grades and had to attend summer school to improve her reading. Nadine was referred to RAMP by the special education teacher at her school.
Nadine wanted to improve her grades and was especially attentive during RAMP sessions. She was especially engaged during in depth goal setting discussions. She is very interested in setting goals for herself and accomplishing them. She also remained determined to improve her grades. When she has a test coming up Nadine will stay in class rather than attend RAMP. Her priority is to ensure she has all the information she needs.
Nadine was selected to attend the Teen and Police Service Academy last summer. She was a bit nervous to attend the class and wasn’t sure what to expect. However, after her first day she was smiling ear to ear and excitedly told RAMP staff everything she did in class. At end of the week-long class, she said she was no longer afraid of public speaking. Her new sense of confidence has allowed her to ask questions in class and be more involved in discussions. Her grades have improved because she feels she is learning more in her classes. Through RAMP Nadine has had access to career exploration opportunities and has received extra support in achieving her goals.
Jackson is interested in automotive and collision repair. He has many friends and family involved in gangs and the juvenile justice system. He was also chronically absent from school and was in danger of not graduating due to low attendance and low motivation.
Jackson was referred to RAMP by his counselor and has been a participant since August 2018. His attendance was initially spotty however after a few months it improved dramatically, and he became more open with his coordinators and mentor. Jackson now attends every session and was chosen to attend the RAMP Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.
Jackson is now on track to graduate and has become invested in his future. His mentor has assisted him with creating a resume, applying to auto shops, and studying to pass his Drivers Ed test. Jackson is now the first one to raise his hand to ask questions and is highly engaged with RAMP activities. RAMP staff and teachers have witnessed him move on from a negative mindset and become a motivated and mature young man. They are incredibly proud of him.
Nadine is a bright student who dreams of becoming a criminologist. Nadine was very dedicated to her future, but she was struggling in school due to her learning disability. She had low grades and had to attend summer school to improve her reading. Nadine was referred to RAMP by the special education teacher at her school.
Nadine wanted to improve her grades and was especially attentive during RAMP sessions. She was especially engaged during in depth goal setting discussions. She is very interested in setting goals for herself and accomplishing them. She also remained determined to improve her grades. When she has a test coming up Nadine will stay in class rather than attend RAMP. Her priority is to ensure she has all the information she needs.
Nadine was selected to attend the Teen and Police Service Academy last summer. She was a bit nervous to attend the class and wasn’t sure what to expect. However, after her first day she was smiling ear to ear and excitedly told RAMP staff everything she did in class. At end of the week-long class, she said she was no longer afraid of public speaking. Her new sense of confidence has allowed her to ask questions in class and be more involved in discussions. Her grades have improved because she feels she is learning more in her classes. Through RAMP Nadine has had access to career exploration opportunities and has received extra support in achieving her goals.
Contact Information
Email Us:
ramp@iel.org
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Information about partners
RAMP sites have collaborated with over 300 education, community, employer, and STEM partners. RAMP site partners include: Walmart, Olive Garden, Baltimore Gas and Electric Co., State Employees Federal Credit Union, CompuCycle, Kennedy Space Center, Chroma Technology Corp (fluorescence filter manufacturer), Lansing Community College Aviation Center, Tractor Supply Company, Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory, University of Houston Architecture Department, Johns Hopkins University Hospital and Bank of America.