| Identity development is a key task of adolescence. This study proposes the design of a mentorship program for adjudicated youth in Community School that focuses on facilitating identity development along several dimensions of functioning. The program also considers the construct of resilience, particularly by providing an adult to help overcome adversity. The program objectives are to: (1) promote resilience by providing a relationship with a caring adult, high expectations, and realistic opportunities to make contributions to their community; (2) develop skills that help foster identity exploration and commitment to positive self-concept; and (3) restructure identities into societal contributors rather than criminals. The intended outcomes are to facilitate development of mentoring relationships and to help reduce criminal recidivism. The design contains measures to assess the effectiveness of the program as a whole, training and supervision of mentors, and individual participant outcomes. |
