Applications open for Fall 2023!
Core elements of The Fellowship Initiative
- Saturday & Summer Sessions
- Social and Emotional Development
- Leadership Development
- College Tours
- Mentoring Relationships
Fellows meet three Saturdays a month during the Fall and Spring semesters and roughly three weeks each summer. Sessions comprising academic rigor, testing strategies, professional development, financial literacy, career exploration and college campus exposure use project based learning to activate Fellows’ creative thinking and gradually familiarize them with university adjacent coursework. It is important for our students to gain confidence in their ability to create their own solutions, follow through on their implementation and gain comfort in the university academic structure.
Fellows explore mental health, examine toxic masculinity and healthy emotional expression all within a Social and Emotional Learning informed space under the guidance of a clinical case manager.
Fellows gain leadership skills while exploring civic engagement as they form their self-identity in a safe, supportive, equitable and inclusive community. In prior years we have completed an Outward Bound excursion through Colorado and Utah. These trips give Fellows the opportunity to experience the world outside their communities, implement their increasing maturity and independence while learning to work together and gaining assurance in their ability to overcome adversity.
Fellows experience multiple college tours to local, state and out of state campuses. These trips give Fellows the opportunity to explore a variety of college settings to build comfort on a college campus and help them determine the type of college that will be the best for their interests and goals.
TFI Fellows also receive access to trained mentoring professionals in various fields. Each Fellow is assigned to a squad of peers. Each squad will be assigned 3-4 mentors to provide support, advice and experience as these young men prepare themselves to become leaders in their communities. This model provides Fellows the opportunity to form positive relationships with adult figures outside the usual superior-subordinate structure of schools or jobs while giving the mentors the ability to bolster each other in their guidance of the students.
Impact of The Fellowship Initiative
Program Example
The TFI Program offers travel opportunities for leadership development and college tours. Fellow have the opportunity to bond with one another and explore opportunities for their future..
Read about the experiences of 3 TFI members on their incredible journey in 2019 to Costa Rica.
Testimonials
“The {TFI} days were jam-packed with classes, lectures, and deep discussions that were crucial to our growth and success. There were moments of brotherhood, closeness, motivation and of course, fun! Because of {TFI}, I am more prepared to go to college and better understand myself.”
— David
Program Example
“Don’t be afraid to fail.” A special fireside chat for our TFI Fellows featuring FC Dallas players Kris Reaves and Moises Hernandez, facilitated by Peter Muriungi.
Testimonials
“I used to be a lone wolf, strong in my own way. But in my new pack (TFI) I am never alone, and I am stronger because of the strength of my TFI brethren behind me.”
– Juan
Program Example
TFI Fellows experience lots of college tours – including tours out of state where the Dallas Fellows get to connect with Fellows from Los Angeles, Chicago and New York.
According to Julian, “On this trip, TFI brothers from across the country came together and got a chance to bond with the entire TFI family. It was an event that would shape the program, me, and my brothers’ lives. Because of this tour, I am more prepared to go to college and better understand myself.”
Testimonials
“Our TFI squads usually consist of around seven people, you’ll spend most of your fondest moments of TFI with these seven. They are no longer group mates but family and when you’re asked to lead family, you do so with no hesitation and with your utmost diligence.”
– Freddy
Program Example
The Fellowship Initiative Dallas and Studio Movie Grill sponsored a screening of The Hate U Give for five local middle and high schools as a culminating activity after their respective clubs had read and discussed the book.
Two of The Fellowship’s Leadership Committee, Julian and Carlos, helped Ms. Lisa facilitate the post-viewing discussion, with assistance from two of the area high school representatives as well: Youth Leadership and Youth Voice at its best.
Testimonials
“TFI isn’t just about telling the Fellows that they can do anything. It’s about showing them what that looks like and helping to pave the way for them to reach their full potential.”
– Parents of 2017-2020 TFI Fellow
