Cal Poly Mentoring Program In Running for $10,000 ‘Your Favorite Charity’ Contest

The Bakari Mentoring Program at Cal Poly has been chosen for the final round of the inaugural Your Favorite Charity contest sponsored by KSBY and PG&E.

The Bakari program is one of 22
finalists in the running to
win the $10,000 prize.

The program was one of 22 selected by a panel of judges from about 123 nominations. The public can vote for the organization most deserving of the $10,000 grand prize at ksby.com through Friday, Aug. 1.

The Bakari Mentoring Program is a culturally sensitive and gender-specific prevention and intervention program for at-risk youth throughout San Luis Obispo County that helps participants successfully transition into adulthood. The program strives to nurture socially conscious, responsible and productive youth who can reach their potential and take full advantage of opportunities while confronting life challenges in positive ways. The program is unique in that it provides Cal Poly students the opportunity to be staff members and mentors to the youth. 

If selected, the program will use the funding to support key program components such as job readiness, job shadowing, and professional development. The program will also implement a college-preparation element, allowing the youth opportunities that would not otherwise be afforded to them. The Bakari Mentoring Program seeks to serve 25 to 30 students next year, providing academic and social-emotional services, support, and a positive environment to facilitate successful navigation into adulthood.

“If we are chosen as the favorite charity, we plan to expand the number of youth accepted into the next incoming group of high school females in September and include a ‘college bound’ component to the Job Readiness and Professional Development portion of the program,” said Roslyn Caldwell, director of the Bakari Mentoring Program. “It is an honor to have been nominated and selected for the final round. All of the selected organizations are outstanding.”