The Appalachian Mountain Teen Project (AMTP), a non-profit, community-based prevention program that operates throughout the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, has received a $2,000 grant from the Meredith Village Savings Bank Fund. These funds will help support the organization’s activity-based mentoring program, which uses a powerful combination of interventions to encourage the social, emotional, economic, academic and vocational success of young people facing challenging life circumstances.
The activity-based mentor program fosters resilience and leadership skills in youth through group activities and weekly one-on-one mentoring in the school setting from a professional staff member. The group events range from school activities to day long and multi-day/overnight trips focusing on outdoor wilderness adventure and experiential education. The program also provides opportunities for older participants to serve in leadership roles.
“With recent budget cuts at the state level, many community programs have had to close or cut services,” said Nathan Boston, Executive Director for Appalachian Mountain Teen Project. “With support from local organizations, we have been able to continue helping local youth that are facing challenging life situations with few resources available to them. We appreciate Meredith Village Savings Bank’s willingness to support this initiative to give struggling children and young adults a second chance at a bright, successful future and the opportunity to build friendships and mentor relationships that will last a lifetime.”
The Appalachian Mountain Teen Project (AMTP) was initiated as a summer program in 1984 with start-up support from NHCF by program founder, Donna San Antonio, and was incorporated as a year round program in 1987. AMTP was created as an independent, community-based non-profit youth and community service program to serve the Lakes Region of Central New Hampshire. Since 1984, AMTP has formed long-term mentoring relationships with over 550 teens and conducted thousands of activity days with teen groups. Over time, the program has expanded to include parenting courses, classroom based diversity programs, a program to help youth successfully transition to Middle School, and efforts to improve access to and success in post-secondary education. Since 1984, the AMTP has served over 5,400 people in 8 school districts and 19 communities. For more information, please visit: www.teenprojectnh.com.
Photo Caption: MVSB AVP Branch Manager, Marcus Weeks (left) and Appalachian Mountain Teen Project Executive Director, Nathan Boston (right).
