Community brings “Promise Kids” mentoring initiative to Lincoln and McGary Schools

 Community brings Promise Kids mentoring initiative to Lincoln and McGary Schools in the Evansville Promise Zone 

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Evansville Promise Zone, EVSC, Young & Established and SIMA are undertaking a collaborative effort to develop and implement a mentorship program for students in two Evansville schools. The program, called Promise Kids, will support children living in the Promise Zone with the goal of reversing the impact COVID-19 had on their education. The program will connect with children on age-appropriate levels using trained mentors both inside and outside of the classroom. 

Promise Kids will focus on schools with which Young & Established and SIMA have current relationships – Lincoln School and McGary Middle School. The program will focus on improving three success factors – attendance, grades, and behavior. The assigned program mentors will track these areas of focus on a weekly basis in conjunction with the administration at each school. Collaborative efforts will result in the development of child-specific improvement plans, engaging children to strengthen interactions, academic achievement, and overall health and well-being. 

Promise Zone Director Silas J. Matchem Sr. of ECHO Housing is confident about the collaboration – “We have successful organizations within our community that are willing to put in the time and effort to assist children to reach and maximize their potential. SIMA and Young & Established have existing partnerships in place that will sustain these results well into the future.” 

The launch of the Promise Kids mentoring program occurred on March 15, 2023. 

The program is made possible with financial support from Promise Zone Lead Partner, the City of Evansville, Department of Metropolitan Development. The funding will cover the cost of the program for one year. 

Evansville was designated as a Promise Zone in June 2016, with ECHO Housing Corporation designated as the lead agency to facilitate initiatives in support of residents in the area. Promise Zones are high-poverty communities in which the federal government partners with local leaders to increase employment opportunities, expand economic activities, improve educational opportunities, reduce violent crime, promote health and access to healthcare, provide access to quality affordable housing, and to address other priorities identified by the communities. 

More information about the Evansville Promise Zone can be found here: https://echohousing.org/what-we-do/promise-zone/