Program Details

Multicultural Integrated Kidney Education Program (MIKE Program)

Contact Information

Web: www.mikeprogram.org

Coordinator: Nathan Vogt

Voice: 503-296-7705
Email: nathan@mikeprogram.org

Program Description

The mission of Multicultural Integrated Kidney Education Program is to empower youth to be ambassadors of health in service to their diverse communities through mentorship, partnership, and the promotion of healthy kidneys. This program unites adult volunteers with youth who are 14-21 years old to develop a teaching tool to prevent kidney disease. This teaching tool, developed for an audience of early adolescents from 10-13 years old, can be in the form of a skit, poster presentation, puppet show, comic book, rap, dance, video, etc. The volunteers and youth work as a team to develop a tool that their audience will find engaging, then present this tool in service to their community. It might be used as a resource at community fairs, in the classroom, and/or at a specially designed presentations. As an example, the youth at the Youth Opportunity Center in Northeast Portland presented a Kidney Karnival to their community in conjunction with Youth Service Day 2004. The team investigates public health concerns (e.g. obesity, nutrition, exercise, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, infections) explores careers in the medical field, and interacts with businesses, families, and the broader community. In the process, the mentor will support and develop in the youth their core helping nature, their self-efficacy skills (prompt, neat, alert, engaged, etc), interpersonal skills (responsive, respectful, kind, etc.), civic, academic , and career awareness. MIKE Program is a systemic solution to a public health problem. Mentors work in MIKE Program to be a part of this solution.

Population Served

Youth 14-21 in public school, alternative public schools, or enrolled in youth serving agency activity. A mentor typically is placed with diverse youth, many from African American, Asian/Pacific Islander Americans, Latino/a, or Native American communities, those living in poverty or with disadvantaged social backgrounds.

Goals and Objectives

1. Develop peer to peer programs to educate youth on the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle to prevent kidney disease. 2. Develop peer to peer programs for youth at high risk of kidney disease to increase trust of the medical community. 3. Develop and implement curriculum based programs to increase overall improved health and to prevent kidney disease from age 14-21.

Ages Served

14 to 21

Types of Mentoring

• One-on-One
• Group
• Team

Type of Mentoring Program

• Community-based
• School-based

Mentor Profile

Is motivated and enthusiastic to work with diverse youth. Has had successful experiences working with youth. Needs little supervision in accomplishing projects. Can work independently or with others to accomplish tasks. Can make a personal commitment of time. Responsibilities: To develop relationships with youth through common activities. To mentor youth in learning a skill and applying it to benefit themselves and MIKE Program. To facilitate youths' learning about subject matter, time management, accessing information and other resources, job-related skills, healthy lifestyles, etc.

Hours Needed

• Mornings: 8 am to Noon
• Afternoon: Noon to 3 pm
• After School: 3 pm to 5 pm
• Evenings: 5 pm to 9 pm
• Weekend

Locations Served

• Cornelius
• Forest Grove
• Gresham
• Hillsboro
• Portland