Project AIM

Project AIM (Achieving Independence through Mentoring) is a unique, outcome-oriented program that strives to promote self-sufficiency, strengthen families, and reduce isolation through mentoring and ongoing support. The program model matches client families who are trying to break out of the poverty cycle with adult volunteer mentors who can offer emotional and practical support.  Committed mentors serve to strengthen each participating family unit by helping them identify individual goals and resources that promote self-sufficiency.  The intensive support system creates a powerful bond through the mentor/family relationship which in turn, creates trust, action and accountability as a family moves toward self-sufficiency. 

Lower Lights Ministries, utilizing the Faith-Based Urban Ministry Model developed by Central Ohio Youth for Christ and The Faith Based Partnership Initiative (2005), defines self-sufficiency as stability in 4 primary domains including Community Involvement, Basic Health and Safety, Educational Enrichment, and Financial Literacy.  In addition to these domains, Lower Lights stresses a strong relational and spiritual context.  While the ultimate goal is that families will thrive in all domain areas, we recognize that self-sufficiency can be maintained without the family thriving in all areas.

In order for families to be healthy and to move toward self-sufficiency, they must have positive support and encouragement.  Through social work intervention, mentorship, and support groups, families get the support they need to continue working toward their goals.  Social workers have a small caseload of families, allowing them to develop a close relationship with the families they serve and provide intensive social work intervention.  Social workers help families by developing the dreams participants have for their families into attainable goals and developing plans to accomplish those goals, advocating for families within the community, and promoting opportunities for the family to become better connected to the community. 

Families are matched with teams of two to four volunteer mentors.  Mentors serve as a link to the community and provide friendship, support, and encouragement.  Project AIM also has a monthly support group, allowing families who are working toward common goals to come together for fellowship and support.  Graduates of the program are invited to the support group as well, giving them an opportunity for longer term support, and allowing newer families an opportunity to learn from what alumni have done.