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Mayhew Mission
Mayhew is a non-profit program that strives to encourage the positive social, emotional, physical, and behavioral development of at-risk New Hampshire boys, so
that they can become happy, successful, and contributing members of their communities. Moreover, Mayhew serves as a lifelong support community for these boys as they mature.
Candidates
Candidates for the Mayhew Program are 10- and 11-year-old New Hampshire boys from low-income families. The vast majority live in single-parent households and participate in the program tuition-free. Referrals to the program can be made by school officials, youth counselors, clergy, social workers, families, and friends in February and March of each year. The ideal candidate for Mayhew is a boy who will respond to the positive support of the Mayhew community; who will appreciate the opportunity to learn new skills and share in group experiences; who needs a
boost of self-confidence; and who is eager to make a new start for himself. Before beginning his involvement with Mayhew, each boy must make a commitment to try his hardest, to try everything, and to try to get
along with others. The Island Challenge
The Mayhew experience begins for each boy with the Island Challenge: a rigorous
and challenging four-week summer camp experience on Mayhew Island. The summer program promotes the development of improved self-esteem and behavior,
healthier peer interactions, goal settting skills, and a strong sense of belonging. Community Outreach
To continue to build on his progress and further develop a relationship with him,
Mayhew's professional staff visits each boy at home and school throughout the year. During this Community Outreach phase of the program, the staff act as positive role models for the boys while encouraging them to continue to make good choices. It is during a boy's second full year in the program when he typically makes even greater progress and begins serving as a role model for the less experienced boys.
Link-Up
Link-Up is the next step. Each Link, as the boys are known, may participate for up to four more years. Thus, Links can maintain their connection to Mayhew through their teenage years. They continue to receive guidance, encouragement, and role modeling through visits at home by Mayhew's staff and during their week-long summer session at the Mayhew Base House. Link-Up strives to encourage community service, social and individual responsibility, and work experience. The
culmination of the Mayhew experience for many alumni is to return as staff members. This provides great depth in maintaining the Mayhew traditions and the role modeling essential to the program. Each alumni
staff receives college scholarship funds matching his salary. |
