PEAK Mentorship: Here to remind kids it will be OK during unprecedented times

Published 4:27 pm Monday, June 22, 2020

Promoting Esteem Among Kids (PEAK) Mentorship Program is here to let kids know that despite the unprecedented times we are in, it will be OK.

The program, which began several months ago, aims to stop the generational cycle of drug abuse within households, and other issues that pose risks to children in repeating the cycle.

Shannon Payne, program coordinator, said the program started with a grant from the National Recreation and  Parks Association, which runs through the Department of Justice. It was implemented due to the opioid crisis in the area.

“We take these at-risk youth and pair them up with a caring adult to try to negate the adverse childhood experiences,” Payne said.

Children in this program are paired with a mentor, who will then spend time with the child by doing things like fishing, shopping, hiking, or even just sitting down and talking.

Payne described that mentors are trained in various areas, including trauma, like ACEs, or adverse childhood experiences, which can be used to outline some of the future issues a child could be at risk for. Additionally, they are also taught to be active listeners and report any neglect they see. He said requirements to be a mentor include being at least 21 years of age, passing a background check, making a one-year commitment to the program and having a driver’s license with car insurance (so they are allowed to pick up and drop off kids).

According to Payne, due to COVID-19 the program has had to temporarily suspend face-to-face interactions between mentors and mentees. Instead, phone calls and video calls have had to take their place for the time being. In spite of this, however, Payne said that the program is continuing to do their part, even going as far as to get a grant for $700 to help fund tablets for the children in the program to make communication easier.

While Payne said the program is still in its newer stages, having four current children in the program, hopes remain for the future, including fun activities like taking the children to Dollywood.

This program is part of the City of Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Department, and works with the Carter County Drug Prevention Coalition, which is their sister organization, Witeen Huddle and Red Legacy Recovery. After the grant ends with the National Recreation and Parks Association, they will be picked up by the Carter County Drug Prevention Coalition.

Those interested in the program can contact Payne at elizabethtonmentors@outlook.com.

“I think it’s a reassurance for them, telling them everything is going to be OK,” said Payne.