Welcome to the 4C Coalition Mentor Program!

    The 4C is the acronym for Clergy, Community, and Children/Youth Coalition.

    The 4C is in partnership with King County Superior Court to provide mentors as a supportive adult for a young person involved in the juvenile justice system.

    The 4C Coalition was formed in 1999 for the purpose of providing

    Mentors to youth

    Church and community resources to families

    A united voice to the community and government agencies to educate and effectively address youth issues

    Why mentoring?

    Mentoring is an example of how the community can assist in the 4ccoalitionreduction of youth delinquency, substance use, and school dropout.

    Mentors are matched with youth in community mentors/youth reside.

    Mentoring Increases community support for King County youth; reduces alienation of youth from community

    The 4C mentor program increases community awareness and knowledge of King County Superior Court Juvenile programs.
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    The 4C Coalition is not a program to solve a problem, but a process to provide possibilities. Quote-4C


    Moving Toward Equal Ground

    Engaging the Capacity of youth, families, and communities to improve treatment services and outcomes in the Juvenile Justice System

    The 4C Coalition is an organization that is aimed towards providing troubled youth’s a second chance by offering guidance through mentors. 

    The purpose of Operation Uplift was to create and design a recruitment campaign to increase and expand opportunities for mentoring. The campaign for Operation Uplift was born out of collaboration between Big Brothers and Big Sisters of King County, the Joy Initiative, out of King County Department of Juvenile Services Chaplaincy program and Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration Mentor Program.  Out of The Operation Uplift campaign, the 4C Coalition was birthed.  4C Coalition is the acronym for Clergy, Community, and Children/Youth Coalition.

    With the recent success of the 4C coalition program, the need for more mentors is at high demand.  We hope that by contacting you, you will help us in our efforts to reach out to the community by connecting and informing them about this program.

     

    Leon Jackson

    Leon Jackson is everything a mentor is expected to be and much more. He is a role model, an advisor, a caring ear and a friend in need to his mentee, 16-year-old Tyrone.
    Leon and Tyrone met when Leon was 12 years old, their relationship was informal, because they were neighbors. But in 2005, Leon became a mentor for the 4C Coalition, which works with teens involved in juvenile crime. Unbeknownst to Leon, Tyrone had strayed into substance abuse and delinquency. By coincidence, the 4C Coalition was looking for a mentor for Tyrone, just as Leon was completing mentor training and ready to be matched. The mentor program staff had no idea they knew one another. They were matched 5/12/05. They attended the first 4C Mentor Recognition Dinner together on 5/17/05.
    Last summer, Tyrone was being held in jail and had become too much for his mom to handle. Leon, at age 71, took an extraordinary step and let Tyrone stay in his home for one, then two months. Tyrone stayed out of trouble and is now seeking treatment for his substance abuse.
    Leon has become a mentor as well as a surrogate grandfather. He has taught Tyrone his home repair and landscaping skills; he introduced him to his son and daughter, themselves successful adults. Tyrone was shown that people do succeed outside of TV shows and sports arenas. Leon has impressed on Tyrone the truism that to succeed, you must work hard.


    Rita

    Rita has a calming demeanor and a determined streak that has taught her mentee, LaKinna, a powerful lesson. Rita and Lakinna have been matched since 1/19/2005 .
    Rita knew forging a relationship wouldn’t be easy, but she had no idea how hard it would be simply to spend time with LaKinna.
    For the better part of a year, Rita called and made appointments to meet LaKinna. Repeatedly, appointments were broken. When they did get together, LaKinna said little. Rita filled the time talking about herself and things she went through as a teen.
    Time passed and more appointments were missed, but Rita let LaKinna know that she was available. Weekly Rita went to the Starbuck Coffee shop to wait for Lakinna. Many times she left disappointed when LaKinna did not show up.
    Recently, LaKinna’s mom was unable to pay the electric bill and needed $250 or the power would be shut off.
    LaKinna said: “Call my mentor.”
    Rita suggested they ask for help from churches that might have emergency funds for people in need. She helped to draw up a list and went with LaKinna’s mom to several sites. When the deadline to bring in a payment drew near and they had been unable to raise the money, Rita made a selfless gesture. She withdrew some savings and paid the $250. Rita also helped arrange a payment plan with the utility. LaKinna knew she could count on her mentor!

     

    Claudette K. Thomas

    Claudette K. Thomas and her mentee, 16 year old Tammala, have become like sisters in less than a year. They shop together, attend church together, they talk and they laugh.
    Tammala is a teenage mom struggling to continue her education and still enjoy her youth. “I listen and I just let her vent. She knows she can talk to me about anything,” Claudette says. Claudette met Tammala one month before “Jay-Jay” Tammala’s baby was born.
    Claudette sees her role as important to helping Tammala make the transition from a girl to a woman. “I enjoy teaching her things –about style of dress, how to speak. I’ve tried to help her choose her friends wisely.”
    Claudette also lets Tammala know how much she admires the young woman. “She is very respectful and responsible. And she is a great mother. She does everything for her child. She has a lot of common sense. She made some bad choices, but she’s working hard now.”
    Claudette has become someone Tammala can rely on to give her some attention when she needs it.