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Social Innovation 

Programming @ iSPI 

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All Social Innovation workshops are held at Innovate Springfield (15 South Old State Capitol Plaza, 2nd Floor) and are free to members and non-members of Innovate Springfield. 

What is Preview Day?

Oct 11, 2017

Nadia Gronkowski & Sarah Tapscott

iSPI + Forefront Youth Mentoring Program Peer Network - Welcome Meeting

Learn more about how to participate in the Innovate Springfield + Forefront Mentoring Program Peer Network.  

Dec 13, 2017

Nadia Gronkowski & Sarah Tapscott

iSPI + Forefront Youth Mentoring Program Peer Network - Using Screening Results: How to engage system-involved mentors

Youth mentoring best practices say that programs should conduct screenings for safety and suitability of mentoring youth prior to accepting a mentor into their program.  However, using screening results effectively can be confusing, and prospective mentors who have been involved with the justice system can have unique perspectives and talents to share with mentors and programs.  What does research evidence tell us about mentor screening, and how can youth mentoring programs use screening results for the benefit of their mentees and their program?  We’ll talk with the Executive Director/Director of Operations at New Life Centers’ Urban Life Skills Program (located in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood), who will share innovative practices for engaging mentors who have been involved with the justice system as well as how their program has benefitted from the involvement of other justice system stakeholders.

Feb 14, 2018

Nadia Gronkowski & Sarah Tapscott

iSPI + Forefront Youth Mentoring Program Peer Network - Best Practices in Training

What are the benefits of training for mentors, mentees, and mentees’ guardians?  What are the key components of an effective training session?  Come discuss what types of training you think would benefit our community most to help us determine what kind of trainings to focus on at the June 2018 Sangamon County Youth Mentoring Summit. 

Apr 11, 2018

Nadia Gronkowski & Sarah Tapscott

iSPI + Forefront Youth Mentoring Peer Network - Best Practices for Group Mentoring

Learn about how evidence-based best practices for mentoring apply specifically to group settings, and discuss your own experiences with group mentoring.  What are the unique benefits and challenges associated with group mentoring?  How does current research help programs understand how to address those challenges? 

Jun 12, 2018

2018 Sangamon County Youth Mentoring Summit

Stay tuned for details!

Aug 08, 2018

Nadia Gronkowski & Sarah Tapscott

iSPI + Forefront Mentoring Program Peer Network - Best Practices in Recruitment

Stay tuned for more details!

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