Empowering Youth Through Mentorship in Detroit

Autumn’s Rainbow Youth Community Center provides trauma-informed, healing-centered mentorship for middle and high school youth (ages 12–18) in Detroit. Our program supports youth who may face academic, emotional, and social barriers, including those with IEPs, 504 Plans, or exposure to instability and trauma.

In Detroit, where over half of children live in poverty and many students require additional academic and emotional supports, mentorship is a proven protective factor. Research shows that youth with consistent mentors demonstrate improved school engagement, stronger social-emotional skills, and better long-term outcomes.

Our Mentorship Model combines:

• Consistent, caring adult mentorship

• Social-emotional learning and resilience-building

• Academic advocacy and family engagement

• Hands-on community learning through our Community Garden and financial literacy activities

Youth participate in structured weekly or bi-weekly sessions that center healing, accountability, and leadership development. Participants help set goals, build confidence, and engage in community-based projects that connect learning to real-world skills.

Expected Outcomes include:

• Improved emotional regulation and coping skills

• Increased school engagement and self-advocacy

• Strengthened confidence, leadership, and goal-setting abilities

• Increased family awareness of educational rights and supports

Autumn’s Rainbow is committed to walking alongside Detroit youth—not to fix them, but to equip, affirm, and empower them. Through mentorship, we are building pathways to stability, resilience, and long-term success.