Friendly Atmosphere Mentoring

Our mission is to help evolve the hearts and minds of our teens by providing resources and opportunities for teens of all cultural and economic backgrounds.

Our motto is if you come once, you're forever FAM.

With gang and gun violence being on the rise, Friendly Atmosphere Mentoring- FAM offers a positive alternative. Studies show 85% of teens are peer pressured and only 10% percent say they aren't affected by peer pressure. I believe this is the reason for the rise in gang activity and violence amongst this age group. There are many after-school programs for 12 and under however, there's not many options once they become a teenager.

FAM offers just that with our proactive approach. We offer peer support and engagement. Our meetings include topics that teens normally wouldn't discuss with their friends which has shown to give them a greater bond. We learn how to break unhealthy thought patterns and behaviors through games and other activities. Our program style also give them other teens who are able to hold them accountable throughout the school day.

Each member is required to do at least 10 hours of community service per year. I choose the community service strategically to evoke empathy in our teens. Each member is also required to attend at least 2 peer events to support one another throughout the year leaving no one left out.

Each quarter, we also have Parent Engagement Night which allows the parents to find out a little more about what we have done in our meetings.

Testimonials

I found out about FAM through a co-worker and decided to sign my daughter up. She really enjoed the meeting virtually and in person. Ms. Jessica would also pick my daughter up from alternative school each day so that I didn't have to leave my new job to help me. Not only did my daughter do better when she went back to school, she made National Junior Honors society. I recommend FAM to everyone. -Ebony

One thing we discuss frequently is not allowing others to have control of your emotions or actions. One teen expressed how he was about to go with his friends but he remembered our lesson days before on being in tune with yourself. He said something in him told him not to go and then he heard Ms. Jessica voice saying "if something doesn't feel right, don't go." He said, if I didn't listen to that voice, I'd be facing murder with those same friends right now.

***This message was received from a former member 4 months after he moved to Virginia.
I just wanted to let you know, that I made the basketball team and that most of that came from you actually helping getting there and from teaching me how to become the person am today, thank you and I appreciate you. -Landyn