We offer tutoring to scholars in community-based, weeknight tutorials. Tutors are students from the University of North Carolina. The tutorial meetings also focus on building peer support for academic success and college exposure. Scholars who need more help receive intensive academic intervention.

Mentors and parents work together to advocate for scholars within the school and community to develop and utilize resources to support the scholar’s success.

Pictured above is trip to UNC Ashville in fall 2024

Scholars are provided with regular opportunities to explore options for attending college and pursuing the career of their choice. BRMA sponsors college tours, workshops, and assistance through the college application and enrollment process. Mentors provide scholars with individualized guidance throughout a scholar’s time in the program.

BRMA provides direct support to parents through individualized assistance intended to support their child’s success in school.

The one-on-one relationship between the mentor-advocate and the scholar is the fundamental component of the program. The mentor’s responsibility is to broaden the child’s exposure to life while simultaneously helping the child pursue his or her depth of interest and aptitude in areas of strength.

As an incentive for academic excellence and an attempt to bolster scholars’ confidence in their ability to attend college, BRMA provides scholarship funds for scholars wishing to pursue post-secondary education. These funds are provided by local community donations. The amount of individual scholarships is dependent on the amount of money raised and the total number of scholars eligible for assistance. Scholars receive a one-time disbursement of Sponsor-A-Scholar and Haidt Scholarships are given to Haidt Scholars who attend a four-year college or university.

BRMA strives to enrich scholars’ lives by providing scholars with group social events, summer camp experiences, and scholarship funds for activities such as music or art lessons or athletic team fees.  The program also partners with local organizations such as the YMCA, the  Ackland Art Museum, and the Department of Parks and Recreation to provide special programs for our scholars.

The Blue Ribbon Youth Leadership Institute operates a leadership summer camp and year-round service club that encourages participants to put their leadership skills to work through service-learning activities. As an outreach program of BRMA, the Youth Leadership Institute serves more scholars than just those who have mentor-advocates through BRMA.