WAIMEA, Hawaii: A free 8-session program for Waimea youth, ages 12 – 17, is being offered Tuesdays and Thursdays, from June 5 through 28, 2012 at the ‘Imiola Church hall in Waimea, says Lifeplan Institute Hawaii Island.

The organization offered these details in a media release:

Sessions are from 10am – noon. Space is limited to 12 youth, registration forms will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and are available online at www.lifeplanhawaii.org.

The teen mentoring program is an opportunity for youth to develop a dream and personal plan for success through fun, interactive, discovery-based learning sessions with peers. Participants explore their values, strengths, self-talk, dream, goals, and get help building a “dream team” for support. The program is anchored by certified Lifeplan facilitators along with adult and teen volunteers. All materials and snacks are provided through the generous support of the program sponsors.

This initial lifeplan training opens doors to more opportunities. Teens who complete this program will be eligible to attend a Lifeplan Youth Summit at Hualalai Resort on July 9. They may also join the Lifeplan Youth Leaders of Waimea (LYLW) project this fall. This initiative seeks to bring together Waimea area teens from different schools and youth groups who will be mentored to develop themselves as leaders and contribute their ideas and efforts to address challenges that they face. Their mission will be to make Waimea a safer, healthier place for teens to thrive.

Program sponsors are: Five Mountains Hawai’i, Lifeplan Institute Hawai’i Island, Hawai’i Community Foundation, Mama’s House, and ‘Imiola Church.

Lifeplan Institute Hawai’i Island was established in May, 2010 with a mission to provide 5,000 island teens with a Lifeplan by 2015. At the core of the program is the My Lifeplan Journey, a series of discovery-based learning sessions designed by Dr. Andy Mecca and team from California Mentor Foundation. In small groups, youth increase self-awareness, refine dreams and goals, create a plan and select mentors to guide them toward their vision of the future. Lifeplan Institute Hawai’i is a program of Five Mountains Hawai’i.