FUTURES FOR CHILDREN: ENSURING EDUCATION FOR AMERICAN INDIAN STUDENTS

For one special group of American citizens the statistics are staggering: One-third live in poverty...nearly half are unemployed�a quarter are rural households, many on impassible roads, have no telephones, no electricity (no television), and no gas. And, of course, a personal computer is a rarity.

Yet these are the shocking facts of everyday life for American Indians. So is it surprising that 5 out of 10 of all American Indian children drop out before finishing high school? It�s the highest dropout rate of any ethnic group in the country; even higher (60%) in New Mexico and Arizona and it shouldn�t happen here! Fortunately there is one organization committed to ensuring access to quality education for American Indian students who, along with all children, represent this nation�s future.

Since 1968, FUTURES FOR CHILDREN an Albuquerque, New Mexico-based non-profit organization has ensured the right of OVER 15,000 American Indian children to an education through a unique program designed around the principle of self-help. Based on three Circles of Support, the Futures for Children program provides vitally needed one-to-one encouragement by matching American Indian children to mentors throughout the United States and Europe.

In the Futures for Children program, there are no anonymous monthly letters. Instead, individual mentors communicate directly with their children through letters, phone calls and e-mails, developing unique and invaluable cross-cultural friendships that last a lifetime. The student acquires an encouraging mentor; the mentor acquires a brand-new �family�. But there is more to the mentoring program: The mentor-student relationship helps these children develop valuable communications skills while it encourages them to stay in school, succeed academically and achieve their potential. Of Futures-mentored students, 95% graduate from high school; 45% move on to college or other post-secondary programs.

Unlike other programs, the Futures program is not based on need. Instead, students and their families are interested in, and value, education. Most are urged to apply by family or school contacts; others are selected by community volunteers who live on the reservation and help administer and monitor the Futures program. It is this system of working together with the community that makes the Futures for Children organization and programs unique.

There are requirements for mentored students. Each student must:

Be enrolled in school, Kindergarten-High School or continuing into Post-Secondary
Correspond with the mentor at least every other month
Maintain at least a 2.0/C average in academics
Demonstrate good school attendance and good behavior
Act as a role model for other American Indian children

Mentors have requirements as well. Participants in the Futures program are asked to commit to a minimum of two years in the program, to allow time for mentor and student to get to know one another. Prospective mentors may select the Tribe and location, gender and age (or grade) of their assigned student, a technique that not only allows unique access to cultures of particular interest to mentors but also helps establish easy working relationships.

The cost of mentor participation in the Futures program is minimal: $420 per year, a monthly amount of $35. Of that amount, 84% goes to student support, $175 or 42% goes directly to the student, in two checks of $87.50 each paid in the fall and spring of the school year. $155 a year allows FFC Regional Coordinators to make school and home visits, coach and advise students, train community volunteers and coordinate student/parent workshops and meetings. This sum also helps to deliver our Youth Leadership curriculum in classrooms or after-school clubs, and to equip Families in Action volunteers with instruction to build family support to encourage children to remain in school and achieve academic success. Five percent of the annual contribution, or $23, pays for annual tours for mentors and their friends and families. Of the entire annual contribution, only $67 a year, or 16%, goes to administrative costs.

What mentors get in return is unequalled opportunity to develop close friendships within other cultures, and sharing and learning take place on both sides of the relationship. Says one mentor: �Our relationship with our student has changed my family�s life! We�ve developed a strong, loving friendship with our American Indian family that goes far beyond mentoring and have gotten back so much more than we�ve given.� For most mentors, the opportunity to influence the lives and future success of their students is its own reward.

Currently there are 1,800 active Futures mentored students. But there are 250 students on the waiting list for a mentor/sponsor. For those who long to impact the future�the chance awaits!