Zoo-Mates is an innovative mentoring program that connects 30 University of Cincinnati students with 30 children experiencing homelessness for a year-long mentoring relationship. Zoo-Mates was started in October 0f 2006, as a partnership between the University of Cincinnati, Center for Community Engagement, The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical gardens and Faces without Places, an agency that serves ch
ildren experiencing homelessness and works to keep them connected to their education. Zoo-Mates has partnered with Hays Porter Elementary, Rockdale Elementary, and Bond Hill Elementary in past years, to provide a fantastic experience to its students. For the 2011-12 school year, Zoo-Mates will be partnered with Ethel M Taylor Academy. Zoo-Mates started out as a monthly mentoring program and occurred solely at the Zoo. The following two years, the program was extended to twice a month and included an additional day that occurred either at the children’s school, UC or another Cincinnati landmark institution. In the fall or 2009, Zoo-Mates went to a weekly format and remain the same to this day. Zoo-Mates children all attend the same Cincinnati Public School and range in age from kindergarten to eighth grade. While children experiencing homelessness may not sleep on the streets, some live in shelters, temporary housing, or with relatives or family friends. They lack permanent, stable homes. Project Connect commits to assisting the families throughout the school year, specifically focusing on keeping the children enrolled in one school throughout a family’s many transitions.
