WEST ALLIS, Wis. - The Out of School Time program at the West Allis-West Milwaukee Recreation & Community Services Department received the Out of School Time Youth Mentoring Grant funded by the National Recreation & Park Association (NRPA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ).
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Mentoring is proven to be a successful tool for increasing positive life outcomes in youth; and, at its core, guarantees young people that there is someone who cares about them. The NRPA actively supports park and recreation agencies to create mentorship programs to help address this issue.
“Mentoring during the elementary years can strengthen social skills and help students develop a sense of belonging,” Program Manager Wendy Meyer said. “We believe this grant will serve as a foundation for long-term success in our after-school programs, while also helping our 3rd–5th grade students build healthy relationships with trusted adults they can turn to when they need support or help.”
This is a 16-week youth mentoring framework for 3rd-5th graders that will assist in forming strong social connections and positive relationships to address adversity and other challenges that youth experience. The program launched on January 19, 2026.
“In terms of outcomes, we hope this program will allow our youth to develop authentic relationships and recognize self-growth over the course of the program,” Assistant Director for Community Services Ty Stahl said. “We have a strong base to build from in our Out of School Time programming and this grant will allow us to build upon that.”
What This Means for the Department
- The WAWM RCS Department Out of School Time program will receive $60,000 over the next two years to create mentorship programs at our Out of School Time Sites.
- During the 2025-26 school year, the sites impacted will be Irving Elementary, Hoover Elementary, Pershing Elementary and Franklin Elementary.
- In the 2026-27 school year, this mentoring program will focus on Mitchell Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, Wilson Elementary, Horace Mann Elementary and Walker Elementary.
- Training, supplies and resources for speakers will be provided because of this grant.
We are currently expanding our roster of mentor speakers. If you or your business specializes in youth mentorship or has experience supporting young people, we’d love to connect. If you have any questions regarding our Out of School Time programs or the Out of School Time Grant, please reach out to Wendy Meyer at [email protected] or call 414-604-4959.