Mentoring At-Risk Chicano Children and Their Parents

ABSTRACT This article discusses a mentoring project aimed at preventing youth violence and attributes initial success to principles of community practice. The program was unique in being housed in the community, targeting young Chicano children for long term mentoring, and providing support for the non-English speaking parents. Focus is on three theoretical elements-mentoring, empowerment, and multicultural consciousness-all of which implicitly embody concepts of community. Discussion centers on how these concepts played a role in the day-to-day challenges of implementation and in meeting initial program goals. This article offers insights to those wishing to duplicate this mentoring effort with Chicano or other multicultural clients.