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IMPACT

IMPACT Delaware's mentoring program philosophy is rooted in a diverse range of theories and evidence-informed curriculum. Here's a brief overview of each:

  •  Social Learning Theory: Emphasizes the role of observation and modeling in learning behavior.

  • Trauma-Informed Care: Recognizes the impact of trauma on individuals and provides a framework for supporting their healing and growth.

  • Cultural Responsiveness: Ensures that mentoring practices are sensitive to and inclusive of diverse cultural backgrounds.

  • Cognitive Behavioral Theory: Focuses on understanding how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected and can be modified.

  • Motivational Interviewing: A communication style that helps individuals explore and resolve ambivalence about change.

  • Restorative Practices: Promotes building and repairing relationships and addressing harm in a constructive manner.

  • Multiple Intelligences: Acknowledges and supports diverse forms of intelligence beyond traditional measures.

  • Developmental Assets: Identifies positive factors that contribute to healthy youth development.

  • Positive Psychology: Focuses on strengths, resilience, and well-being rather than solely on pathology.

  • Emotional Intelligence: Enhances awareness and management of one's own emotions and those of others.

  • The evidence-informed curriculum utilized by IMPACT Delaware includes:

  • Overcoming Obstacles: A program designed to teach essential life skills and resilience.

  • Botvin Life Skills: Focuses on preventing substance abuse and promoting health and well-being.

  • Girls Circle: Provides a supportive space for girls to build self-esteem and resilience.

  • Boys Town Social Skills: Teaches social skills and conflict resolution strategies to promote positive relationships.

  • The Council for Boys and Young Men: Supports the social, emotional, and academic development of boys and young men.

By integrating these theories and evidence-informed curricula, IMPACT Delaware strives to provide comprehensive and effective mentoring support to empower youth and promote their holistic development.

OUR HISTORY

IMPACT Delaware was founded in 2004 as SPEAAK, Supporting Parents for the Education of African American Parents by a number of caring adults and parents in western Sussex County Delaware.

The original founders were Jerry and Latrinka Lee, Terence and Desi Moore, Dr. Julius and Natasha Mullen, Marcus and Tamara Mullen, Marvin Phillips, Dr Dara Savage, and Chandra Stewart.

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These amazing adults spent countless hours developing programs, sharing expertise, and serving youth and families for several years. As a leadership team and many other committed community members, they helped to lead an array of community activities such as teen summits, pool parties, skate nights, field trips, think tanks, summer BBQs, dance performances, basketball tournaments, and a number of other community-based activities.
Using the art of dance, a gender based program for young girls was born, called UNIQUE. UNIQUE was designed to teach emotional intelligence skills such as social skills, self- esteem, and conflict resolution. Simultaneously, the creation of a Saturday Academy for teen boys was also developed. For three consecutive years, over 100 teenage males recieved high quality academic support, compassionate mentoring, and character enrichment. UNIQUE and MAN UP resulted in amazing outcomes evidenced by improved grades, decreased behavioral referrals, and increased parental involvement. Down through the years, many of the initial founders transitioned to other personal and professional pursuits. Simultaneously, Dr. Julius and Natasha Mullen continued to lead UNIQUE and MAN UP and advance to
greater heights.Tasha continued to use an open group model where young girls joined UNIQUE from the broader community. Embracing new volunteers and talented interns was the secret sauce to the continuation of UNIQUE. Joined as an intern Dr. Brittany Hazzard collaborated with Dr. Mullen to expand MAN UP as a school based model primarily focusing on high school males. Dr. Hazzard was an inspirational asset in leading MAN UP's initial alumni cohort toward high school graduation and post graduation success. To formalize the two programs under an official entity, Julius and Natasha formed a non-profit organization called IMPACT Delaware Incorporated. What was equally exciting was the creation of IMPACT's inaugural board of directors. The Mullen's; utilized their expertise as mental health professionals, educational leaders, and non-profit ambassadors while adding their lived expertise as parents to advance IMPACT's platform for many years to come. The Mullens' filled a desperate need in their community - recognizing the increased risks of delinquency, violence, teen pregnancy, drug use, and academic underachievement in local communities.
 

Today, IMPACT Delaware has an impressive resume of serving nearly 5,000 youth and families. Using a diverse outreach approach including individual and group mentoring, keynotes and seminars, in-person and virtually, school-based and  community- based,
locally and nationally. Approximately 100% of engaged mentoring participants graduated from high school and 96% demonstrated positive post high school outcomes. Additionally, a parenting support component has been reinstituted titled, GROWN FOLKS TALKING (GFT). GFT is used to learn from parents, share parenting tips, and offer general support for families. IMPACT thanks the leadership duo, founders, board of directors, partners, volunteers, and interns for the overall success, longevity, and continuation of the organization. Most importantly, the youth and families who have invited IMPACT  to play a small part in the hopes of dreams of their lives deserve a tremendous amount of recognition. IMPACT is forever grateful to all of its program participants.

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