ABOUT: Youth Advisors – Beat the Odds, Forget the Statistics

What is the Beat the Odds (BTO) Program?

A paid, peer group mentoring program that is youth-led under the guidance of a trusted adult. The Beat the Odds program was developed in response to a need for mental health awareness among the Black and Brown, Indigenous, People of Color in the Greater Springfield area. It has now changed into a group peer mentoring program and is being implemented at MLKJRFS and at the South End Community Center (SECC).  BTO youth choose a mental health topic important to them and determine a project they want to work on throughout the year; with a goal of presenting it to folks in their community.  In addition, BTO youth are eager to attend tabling events in Greater Springfield to spread mental health awareness and resources – like the Youth Health Survey  – with their peers and community residents.

The BTO program utilizes the Youth Mentoring Framework as suggested by the MA Problem Gambling Center for Excellence. The BTO program encompasses all elements of the Youth Mentoring Framework.

Check them out! @413BeattheOdds.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

Youth Participation:

Up to 15 students in grades 6-12 per BTO program.

Meetings and Training:

Weekly meetings throughout the school year at MLK Community Center or South End Community Center

Tuesdays: 6:00pm to 8:00pm

with two annual training sessions.

Leadership Roles:

Students elect an Executive Board responsible for meeting planning, note-taking, and social media content. In addition, group members participate in various subgroups throughout the year, including:

  • Data
  • Event Planning
  • Training Facilitators
  • Content Creators
  • Advocacy

Mental Health Projects:

Each group selects a mental health awareness project from a provided list and collaborates with other youth groups to host awareness events. In addition, they will present their projects to the full YMHC during May and June meetings, as well as host events or workshops for parents/guardians, mentors, and other adults to provide mental health awareness training.

Complete an Interest Form and a member of our team will reach out to schedule a meeting with interest youth and their families.

Join the BTO Program

More Than My Mood Campaign

Check out our recent #MTMM photo campaign and find resources for supporting youth mental health.

Beat the Odds: Youth Mental Health Summit

Students from across Springfield came together on May 6, 2023 to learn about and educate each other on the topic of mental health and wellness. In this portion of the program, a panel made up of a mix of students and mental health professionals addressed pressing issues our youth currently face and ways to address them personally and as a community.