Spark T.H.I.S., formerly Rites of Passage, is a mentoring and community/school involvement program brought to the Renton School District through Renton Area Youth and Family Services (RAYS). T.H.I.S. stands for TRUTH, HOPE, INVOLVEMENT and SUCCESS. With the new name of the program, Spark T.H.I.S. aims at igniting a positive change in the lives of youth. Students in the program will discover Truth about who they are and what they can accomplish, find Hope for a limitless future, get Involved in their community and the world around them, and achieve Success in education and in life.

Spark T.H.I.S. is currently in Dimmitt, Nelsen and McKnight middle schools and Renton and Lindbergh high schools. Spark T.H.I.S. is a comprehensive youth-mentoring program that focuses on helping students enhance communication and life skills while learning to make positive educational and personal decisions and build healthy relationships. Students are referred to the program by their school counselors.

The Spark T.H.I.S. Youth Life Coach, known to the students as Spark Leaders, meet weekly with all participants on a one-on-one basis to discuss goal-setting, help work through challenging issues and offer extra support/resources. Additionally, the middle school participants meet once a week for a discussion group with the other students in the program at their school to talk about topics such as decision-making, self-image, communication skills, coping with anger and anxiety and resolving conflicts.

The high school participants have monthly seminars on topics such as college-awareness/opportunities, personal expression, gang-violence, healthy relationships and other issues affecting our youth. High school participants are encouraged to “bring a friend” to the monthly seminars so that more youth can benefit from the Spark T.H.I.S. program.

Outside of school Spark T.H.I.S. participants have the opportunity to partake in many volunteer/community service projects like sorting food at the Northwest Harvest food bank, helping an elderly community member groom their yard through Catholic Community Services, and assisting at RAYS Annual Santa Breakfast. Educational field trips to local colleges are a chance for students to gain an understanding of what college is like and see that it is attainable. Spark T.H.I.S. also takes students on enrichment/team-building activities such as indoor rock climbing, Whirly Ball, hiking, Wild Waves and countless fun activities that are often the first-time the students experience them. These activities take place during school breaks.

For more information about the Spark T.H.I.S. program email sparkthis@rays.org or call 206-772-2050.

Happy Parenting,

Genova Hooks

Genova Hooks is a Renton native, graduating from Renton High School in 2002. Genova is a Youth Development and Parent Specialist at Renton Area Youth and Family Services for the Rites of Passage program. She has experience working with at-risk, low-income, ethnically diverse youth by helping them reach their personal and academic goals.