Youth & Family

Campus Connections

Welcome Weld County Youth and Families!

We’re excited you’re interested in Campus Connections at UNC. Our program gives youth the chance to get one-on-one mentoring, build life skills, make friends, and take part in fun and learning activities. Families can also get support and connect with our team. Learn what to expect, what youth will do in the program, and the benefits of participating. Please contact us if you have any questions, we’re here to help!

Benefits for Youth

Campus Connections is a fun 12-week program that meets one evening a week from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm at UNC in McKee Hall. The program gives one-on-one mentoring to youth. Youth are usually referred by schools, the juvenile justice system, or other youth services.

The program runs twice a year, from September to December and February to May. Each week, youth can get help with schoolwork, explore UNC’s campus, eat a healthy dinner, make friends, learn positive skills, and join fun activities. Campus Connections is part of UNC’s Department of Applied Psychology and Counselor Education. This department also runs the Psychological Services Clinic on campus. The clinic provides low-cost counseling and testing for Greeley and nearby communities.

Each youth who participates in Campus Connections is paired with a current UNC student mentor who works closely with graduate students and faculty members. Mentors work closely with youth to familiarize them to the college atmosphere and vast opportunities college provides with weekly walks around campus.

Campus Connections is committed to providing a positive, safe, and comfortable place to develop meaningful mentor relationships and encourage pro-social behavior, while preventing problematic behavior. Campus Connections is grounded in evidence-based practices for youth mentoring.

Campus Connections focuses on individualized academic and career support to establish future goals and help youth work towards achieving those goals. Because Campus Connections is located entirely on a college campus, youth experience firsthand the possibilities of education and the importance of learning.

An additional benefit of participating in Campus Connections at UNC is that participating youth and their families receive access to free services through the UNC Psychological Services Clinic (PSC). This includes individual counseling, family counseling, couples counseling, parent consultation, play therapy, and assessment services.

What to Expect

After your youth is referred to Campus Connections, a staff member will contact you to set up a first meeting with you and your youth. These meetings happen at UNC in McKee Hall and usually last about 60–90 minutes. The meeting will give you all the important information about the program and what to expect.

During this meeting, we will talk with your youth about their interests and goals for Campus Connections. Staff will also answer any questions you have. You can always contact us with questions or check the Youth & Family FAQ page for more information.

Youth General Expectations

Campus Connections provides a safe, fun, and welcoming place for youth to make friends, learn new skills, and have a great time. To help the program run smoothly, we ask youth and families to follow a few simple guidelines:

  • Arrive at McKee Hall between 4:15 and 4:30 pm each Campus Connections night, and arrange for pick-up by 8:30 pm every week during the 12-week program.

  • Bring warm clothes and comfortable shoes for walking, as some activities will be outside.

Following these steps helps everyone enjoy Campus Connections and get the most out of the program.

Youth Behavioral Expectations

In order to create and maintain a safe and positive environment, the following are some behavioral expectations of youth:

  •  Stay within arm’s length of your mentor at all times
  • Behave respectfully (no fighting, no yelling, no cussing, no outbursts)
  • No smoking, drinking or drug use (including paraphernalia) prior to or during Campus Connections
  • No bullying, taunting, teasing, or posturing
  • Be present and participate in all aspects of the night
  • Follow mentor and all other Campus Connections staff instructions
  • Dress appropriately (please follow your school dress code)
  • Keep you and others safe by engaging in activities safely
  • No excessive use of cell phones, iPods, or other electronic devices during Campus Connections, except in emergencies
  • Only enrolled youth are allowed at Campus Connections
  • No contact with mentors outside of Campus Connections until the end of the 12-week program

Questions? Contact Us!