SEMITA PROJECT PROGRAM
Teens are paired up with mentors that guide them through different areas of life in an effort to teach them how to make empowered choices.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Semita Project transports impoverished youths, ages fifteen through seventeen, from their home communities to identified host communities to participate in a 10 week summer program. They are immersed into new surroundings, activities, and social groups - providing them novel experiences and previously unavailable opportunities to discover new pathways in life.
PROGRAM GOAL
Sponsors Guide and Encourage Sponsees Through Three Critical Pillars of Their Wellbeing.
At Semita, our programs are designed to guide teens in gaining control of their financial wellbeing, recreational wellbeing, and home-life wellbeing to help them foster, build, and secure a content and productive future.
One Program = Three Sponsees - Nine Sponsors - Endless Opportunities
AN IMMERSIVE PROGRAM
We believe that experiencing through immersion is the most natural, authentic, and effective way to learn something new. Many industries, organizations, and institutions have taken to experiential training for its ability to facilitate an environment where learning and practicing can be done simultaneously. This is why we are convinced that our program can help in ways that more limited camps and summer programs simply cannot.
About UsOUR SPONSEES
TEENS AGES 15-17
Adolescents are particularly susceptible to social influence. They are more likely to change or adjust their behaviors to fit in with a certain social influence or way of life.
LIVING AT OR BELOW
THE POVERTY LEVEL
Teens living in poverty often have limited access to basic life amenities such as consistent housing, balanced diets, and health care.
WILLING TO APPLY THEMSELVES
Each youth who applies for The Semita Project will need to go through the application process in its entirety. Semita is excited to be able to provide many resources that would have likely been otherwise unavailable, but it only helps if the Sponsee really wants the opportunity and is willing to step in and work for it!
OUR SPONSORS
HOME LIFE SPONSOR
A Home Life Sponsor oversees the Sponsee’s housing and transportation.They are responsible for the overall health, safety, and general well-being of the Sponsee, acting as the Sponsee’s primary caregiver for the duration of the program. The Home Life Sponsor also works to motivate the Sponsee to engage with life in a mentally, physically, and relationally healthy manner.
WORK LIFE SPONSOR
An Employment Sponsor guides the Sponsee in professional relationships and ensures the Sponsee’s employer provides a safe, educational, and equitable workplace environment. They encourage the Sponsee to learn new skills, and find gainful interests within a selected workforce.
RECREATION LIFE SPONSOR
A Recreational Sponsor fosters the Sponsee’s interests and hobbies. They help connect the Sponsee with community members, especially those within the same age group as the Sponsee. With the Recreational Sponsor’s guidance, the Sponsee develops interest in enjoyable and health-conducive pastimes.
THE PILLARS OF OUR PROGRAM
HOME LIFE
Throughout childhood, our interactions and security at home and within our family are key factors to feeling comfortable and safe. They directly affect how we navigate life's challenges, our attitude towards ourselves and relationships with others, as well as our self esteem. A healthy home life is a constant and vital ingredient to finding an achievable pathway to a meaningful and rewarding life.
WORK LIFE
A fulfilling job and career is not a gamble for a reward, but the reward itself. Working on something that really matters to us is not something that just excels our career trajectory - it may lead to a longer and healthier life. It helps us to have purpose, and has the potential to promote good mental and physical health. It helps kids transition from youth to adulthood, and gives them a greater sense of self.
RECREATION LIFE
Creating and maintaining a healthy level of social wellness and recreational activities allows us to create and hone our social intelligence, assertive skill sets, physical fitness, and stress management. It boosts self esteem, and puts us in productive and enjoyable networks and situations.
OUR COMMUNITIES
Flagship Community: Wood River Valley, Idaho
OUTDOOR RECREATION ACCESS
Being outdoors and near greenery promotes a healthy and active lifestyle. It increases the likelihood of exercise, positive mental health, and engagement within neighborhoods. Access to nature can also reduce environmental stressors commonly found in larger cities - such as air, noise, and light pollution.
TIGHT-KNIT COMMUNITY
Close-knit neighborhoods, where community members are proactively engaged in each others lives, foster better mental health outcomes for adolescents. A high social cohesion can positively influence a higher percentage of contentment through behavioral, spiritual, and psychological pathways.
STRONG ECONOMY
A healthy and prosperous community is critical to its members ability to grow, learn, work, and thrive. Safe housing, trusted public policies, internal investments, and quality education are all direct results of high-opportunity neighborhoods.
PROGRAM TIMELINE
Pre-Program
Visit with Program Facilitator. Match with Sponsors. Coordinate travel and plans.
Week 1
Travel to host community. Meet new Sponsors.
Week 2
Start with Employment Sponsor. Begin selected recreational activities.
Week 4
Semita group event. Begin Reintegration Plan.
Week 8
Gratitude Dinner
Week 10
Final goodbyes. Exit interview. Travel back to home community.
Post Program
Begin Reintegration Plan. 3-week check in. Create program Summary Report.
