WHAT WE DO
Long-Term Approach
Through a hand-in-hand partnership with the school district, students are first selected into the RA community in 4th or 5th grade and together they continue to strengthen their connection all the way through high school graduation. Each student is fully sponsored year-round to participate in sports, extracurriculars and summer camps, paired with a dedicated mentor, and motivated to achieve both on and off the field through Rainier Athletes’ classroom engagement and self-advocacy model.
Self-Advocacy
In collaboration with their mentor and family, students develop an Identity Statement that celebrates their unique qualities, perspectives, and culture. Students engage in the daily practice of self-advocacy through conversations exploring and promoting their identities with their teachers. Every week, teachers add observations and reflections about these conversations, students meet with their mentors to reflect, and mentors complete a Synopsis Report. This report catalyzes dialogue amongst the student’s Core Community of supporters (teachers, coaches, and family).
Rainier Athletes mentors coach that failure is never permanent and that each mistake should be recognized as an opportunity to learn and grow. We focus on developing a “growth mindset” in our students while promoting the courage to dismantle any "fixed mindsets” that limit the student from achieving their true potential.
A Network of Support
Rainier Athletes’ unique wraparound approach to mentoring transcends what is typical of a mentor-mentee relationship. Beyond the relationship built with the student, our community of mentors foster an authentic connection with the student’s Core Community to holistically support and motivate students to achieve their greatest potential.
Building an entire network of support, rather than a single outlet, the student feels a deeper sense of belonging whether they are at home, in the classroom, on the field, or moving throughout their community. We call this approach “ONE Team Mentoring.”
