The program aims to:

• mentor youth and adults who belong to communities that face multiple challenges due to such factors as age, ability, culture, religion, ethnicity to share their stories of hope and resilience;
• build on educational aspirations of youth from low SES communities;
• create a resource that will build cultural awareness, support inclusion and challenge public perceptions;
• document and publish important community, family and personal messages;
• provide a community engagement experience that is inclusive of both ACU staff and students, and connects them on a personal level to individuals in the community;
• draw on cross faculty wisdom and talents, and collaboration;
• raise public awareness, both at ACU and in the community, about the challenges that the vulnerable in our community experience, the resilience they show, and the hopes they have for their future.

The program is designed to foster both skill development and hope-filled learning through various workshops and through the positive relationships forged between all participants. ACU mentors/learning partners are critical to its success as they provide one-on-one support and a friendly ear so that community participants can:

• increase their sense of belonging and being valued through workshops and sharing;
• creatively and confidently communicate their thoughts to an audience with the support of their mentors;
• further develop their literacy, communication, technology and reflection skills by attending workshops with mentors;
• become effective and confident advocates for themselves, and/or their communities;
• build on aspirations for their future.