Our Standard
The P.L.S.M. Youth Program is committed to creating a safe, respectful, and growth-oriented environment where every participant can learn, develop, and thrive.
As a participant, you represent not only yourself, but also your family, your mentor, and the values of the P.L.S.M. Youth Program. Every participant is expected to contribute positively to the program environment.
Our expectations are rooted in the principles of Power, Love, and a Sound Mind.
Respect
Participants are expected to:

• Treat fellow participants, mentors, staff, volunteers, and guests with dignity and respect.
• Listen when others are speaking.
• Respect differences in backgrounds, experiences, and opinions.
• Follow instructions provided by program staff and volunteers.
• Respect program facilities, equipment, and property.

Disrespectful, disruptive, threatening, or intentionally harmful behavior will not be tolerated.
Attendance and Participation
Consistent attendance is essential for personal growth and program success.
Participants are expected to:

• Attend all scheduled sessions whenever possible.
• Arrive on time and prepared to participate.
• Notify program staff in advance of any absence when possible.
• Actively engage in discussions, activities, and assignments.

Repeated unexcused absences may affect continued participation in the program.
Violence-Free Environment
P.L.S.M. maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding violence and threats of violence.
Participants may not:

• Fight or engage in physical aggression.
• Threaten, intimidate, or harass others.
• Possess weapons of any kind during program activities.
• Encourage or promote violent behavior.

Any behavior that jeopardizes the safety of participants, staff, or community members may result in immediate suspension pending review.
Bullying and Social Media Conduct
Bullying in any form is prohibited.
This includes:

• Physical bullying
• Verbal bullying
• Emotional manipulation
• Harassment
• Cyberbullying
• Social exclusion
• Spreading rumors

Participants are expected to use social media responsibly and respectfully.
Online behavior that targets, humiliates, threatens, or harms another participant, mentor, staff member, or family may result in disciplinary action, even if the conduct occurs outside of program hours.
Language and Communication
Participants are expected to communicate respectfully.
The following are prohibited:

• Hate speech
• Discriminatory remarks
• Threatening language
• Sexual harassment
• Excessive profanity directed toward others
• Intentionally degrading comments

Participants will be encouraged to express themselves honestly while learning healthy communication skills.
Dress Code
Participants should dress appropriately for all program activities.
Clothing should:

• Be clean and appropriate for the activity.
• Avoid offensive, vulgar, gang-related, drug-related, or alcohol-related images or messages.
• Promote a positive and respectful environment.

Specific attire requirements may be communicated for special events, field trips, service projects, or presentations.
Travel and Curfew Expectations
During program-sponsored trips, retreats, conferences, or special events:
Participants are expected to:

• Remain with assigned groups.
• Follow staff and mentor instructions.
• Observe established curfews.
• Respect lodging, transportation, and event facilities.
• Follow all safety protocols.

Failure to comply with travel expectations may result in parents being contacted and removal from the activity.
Accountability, Consequences, and Restoration
P.L.S.M. believes in accountability, but we also believe in growth, redemption, and restoration.
When expectations are violated, the goal is not simply punishment but learning, reflection, and positive change.
Consequences may include:

• Verbal warning
• Parent/guardian notification
• Behavioral improvement plan
• Temporary restriction from activities
• Restorative conference
• Suspension from program activities
• Program dismissal in severe circumstances

Whenever appropriate, participants will be given opportunities to repair harm, accept responsibility, and restore trust.
Restoration may include:

• Written reflection
• Apology process
• Conflict mediation
• Community service
• Mentor accountability meetings
• Parent conferences
• Behavioral improvement agreements

Our goal is to help young men learn from mistakes, develop character, and grow into responsible leaders.
Every participant deserves accountability, and every participant deserves an opportunity for restoration.

Our Partnership Commitment
The success of the P.L.S.M. Youth Program depends upon a strong partnership between youth, parents or guardians, mentors, and program staff.
Parents and guardians are essential members of the growth process. By enrolling your child, you agree to actively support the goals, values, and expectations of the program.
Communication
Parents and guardians are expected to:

• Maintain current contact information with program staff.
• Respond to communications in a timely manner.
• Inform staff of schedule changes, absences, or concerns.
• Participate in meetings when requested.
• Review program updates and announcements.

Open communication helps ensure the safety and success of every participant.
Transportation Responsibilities
Unless otherwise communicated, parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring that participants arrive at and depart from program activities safely and on time.
Parents should:

• Arrange reliable transportation.
• Notify staff if transportation issues arise.
• Pick up participants promptly following activities.

Transportation arrangements for special events or field trips will be communicated in advance.
Family and Parenting Session Participation
P.L.S.M. is designed as a family-centered program.
Parents and guardians are expected to participate in designated family sessions, workshops, meetings, and activities throughout the program year.
These sessions provide opportunities to:

• Strengthen family communication.
• Develop parenting tools and strategies.
• Support participant growth.
• Build community with other families.

Family engagement is one of the strongest predictors of participant success.
Behavioral Collaboration
Parents and guardians agree to partner with program staff and mentors when behavioral concerns arise.
This partnership may include:

• Parent conferences
• Behavioral improvement planning
• Goal-setting discussions
• Progress reviews
• Restorative meetings

Our objective is to support growth rather than assign blame.
Emergency Contact Information
Parents and guardians must provide:

• Current emergency contact information
• Alternate emergency contacts
• Relevant medical information
• Allergy information
• Emergency treatment authorization when required

Any changes to emergency information should be reported immediately.
Consent and Authorization Requirements
Parents or guardians must complete and sign all required program forms before participation, including:

• Enrollment documents
• Liability waivers
• Medical authorization forms
• Media and photography releases
• Transportation permissions
• Field trip and special event authorizations

Participants may be restricted from certain activities if required documentation has not been completed.
Shared Commitment
By participating in the P.L.S.M. Youth Program, parents, guardians, mentors, and staff commit to working together to help young men develop into leaders who demonstrate Power, Love, and a Sound Mind.
When families and mentors work together, transformation becomes possible, growth becomes sustainable, and young men are equipped to reach their full potential.

The Role of a P.L.S.M. Mentor
Mentors serve as guides, encouragers, role models, accountability partners, and servant leaders. Through consistent relationships, mentors help young men develop confidence, character, leadership skills, emotional intelligence, spiritual awareness, and healthy decision-making habits.
Mentors are expected to embody the principles of Power, Love, and a Sound Mind both inside and outside of program activities.
Mentor Qualifications
All P.L.S.M. mentors must:

• Be at least 21 years of age.
• Demonstrate personal maturity and integrity.
• Possess a genuine desire to invest in the lives of youth.
• Agree to uphold the mission, values, and standards of Bunk 57 Ministries.
• Complete all required screening and training requirements.
• Maintain a lifestyle consistent with positive youth development and responsible leadership.

The program reserves the right to deny or revoke volunteer participation when doing so is necessary to protect youth or preserve the integrity of the ministry.
Screening and Background Checks
Prior to serving, all mentors must complete:

• Volunteer application
• Personal interview
• Reference verification
• Criminal background check
• Child abuse registry screening (when applicable)
• Signed code of conduct and confidentiality agreements

Background screenings may be renewed periodically as required by ministry policy or law.
Required Training
Mentors must complete all required orientation and training prior to assignment.
Training topics may include:

• Youth development principles
• Trauma-informed mentoring practices
• Communication skills
• Cultural awareness
• Conflict resolution
• Child protection policies
• Abuse recognition and reporting
• Crisis response procedures
• Program expectations and documentation

Additional training opportunities may be offered throughout the year.
Professional Boundaries
Healthy boundaries protect both mentors and participants.
Mentors shall not:

• Use their position for personal gain.
• Engage in romantic or sexual relationships with participants.
• Share inappropriate personal information.
• Provide alcohol, tobacco, drugs, or illegal substances.
• Use physical discipline or intimidation.
• Meet privately in locations that compromise safety or accountability.
• Assume parental authority over participants.

Mentors should strive to be approachable, trustworthy, and supportive while maintaining appropriate adult-youth boundaries.
Mandatory Reporting Responsibilities
All mentors are required to comply with applicable laws and ministry policies regarding the reporting of suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, self-harm, or threats of harm to others.
Mentors are not investigators.
When concerns arise, mentors must immediately report the information to program leadership and follow all reporting procedures.
Failure to report concerns may result in removal from the program and potential legal consequences.
Appropriate Communication
All communication with participants should be:

• Respectful
• Encouraging
• Age-appropriate
• Professional
• Transparent

Whenever possible:

• Parents or guardians should be aware of communications.
• Group messaging should be used when appropriate.
• Communication should occur during reasonable hours.
• Program leadership may request access to communication records when necessary.

Mentors should avoid secretive or exclusive communication patterns.
Meeting Expectations
Mentors are expected to:

• Maintain regular contact with assigned participants.
• Attend required program activities when possible.
• Encourage goal-setting and accountability.
• Support participant growth between sessions.
• Communicate concerns promptly to program leadership.

Consistency is one of the most powerful tools in mentoring.
Spiritual Leadership Expectations
P.L.S.M. is a faith-centered program that seeks to develop the whole person.
Mentors are encouraged to:

• Model integrity and servant leadership.
• Demonstrate Christ-like character.
• Encourage hope, purpose, responsibility, and personal growth.
• Pray with participants when appropriate and welcomed.
• Support spiritual conversations in a respectful and age-appropriate manner.

Mentors should never use spiritual authority to manipulate, shame, or pressure participants.
Documentation Requirements
Mentors are responsible for maintaining accurate records of mentoring activities.
Documentation may include:

• Contact logs
• Meeting summaries
• Attendance records
• Goal progress notes
• Incident reports
• Referral recommendations

Documentation helps ensure accountability, participant safety, and program effectiveness.
Mentor Covenant
Every mentor serves as a representative of Bunk 57 Ministries and the P.L.S.M. Youth Program.
Mentors commit to:

• Protecting youth.
• Maintaining integrity.
• Honoring confidentiality.
• Practicing accountability.
• Supporting families.
• Serving with humility.
• Demonstrating Power, Love, and a Sound Mind.

The effectiveness of the program depends on mentors who consistently show up, lead by example, and invest in the next generation.

Our Commitment to Safety
The safety and well-being of every participant is the highest priority of the P.L.S.M. Youth Program.
Bunk 57 Ministries is committed to creating an environment that protects youth, supports families, and promotes healthy mentoring relationships through clear policies, accountability, and proactive safeguards.
Every volunteer, mentor, staff member, and participant shares responsibility for maintaining a safe environment.
Abuse Prevention Policy
The P.L.S.M. Youth Program maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding:

• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Sexual misconduct
• Neglect
• Exploitation
• Harassment
• Grooming behaviors

Any allegation of abuse or misconduct will be taken seriously and addressed immediately.
Individuals suspected of violating these policies may be suspended from participation pending investigation.
Mandatory Reporting Procedures
Any staff member, mentor, volunteer, or participant who becomes aware of suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, self-harm, or threats of violence must immediately notify program leadership.
Program leadership will:

• Ensure participant safety.
• Document concerns.
• Contact appropriate authorities when required.
• Cooperate fully with investigations.
• Notify parents or guardians when appropriate and legally permissible.

No individual may retaliate against a person who reports a concern in good faith.
One-on-One Meeting Guidelines
Mentoring relationships are encouraged, but safety and transparency must always be maintained.
Whenever possible:

• Meetings should occur in public or observable locations.
• Activities should be visible to others.
• Parents should be informed of meeting plans.
• Program leadership may request meeting schedules.

Private, isolated, or secret meetings are prohibited.
Open and observable interactions protect both youth and mentors.
Transportation Policies
Transportation involving participants must follow approved program procedures.
Mentors transporting participants should:

• Possess a valid driver's license.
• Maintain current vehicle insurance.
• Obtain required permissions from parents or guardians.
• Follow all traffic laws.

Transportation arrangements should be communicated in advance whenever possible.
Unexpected transportation situations should be reported immediately to program leadership.
Digital Communication Policy
Electronic communication should support mentoring while maintaining accountability.
Approved communication methods may include:

• Phone calls
• Text messages
• Email
• Program-approved messaging platforms

All communication should:

• Be professional and age-appropriate.
• Occur during reasonable hours.
• Remain focused on mentoring and program purposes.
• Avoid secrecy.

Parents and program leadership may be included in communications when appropriate.
Social Media Policy
Mentors, volunteers, and participants are expected to use social media responsibly.
The following are prohibited:

• Harassment or bullying
• Sharing inappropriate content
• Public conflicts involving participants
• Posting confidential participant information
• Online behavior that damages participant safety or program integrity

Any social media activity that threatens participant well-being may result in disciplinary action.
Emergency Response Procedures
In the event of an emergency:

1. Ensure immediate safety.
2. Contact emergency services when necessary.
3. Notify program leadership.
4. Contact parents or guardians as soon as possible.
5. Complete required documentation.

Examples include:

• Medical emergencies
• Missing participants
• Threats of violence
• Natural disasters
• Facility emergencies
• Serious behavioral incidents

All staff and volunteers should familiarize themselves with emergency procedures prior to participating in program activities.
Incident Reporting
Any accident, injury, safety concern, policy violation, or behavioral incident must be documented.
Incident reports should include:

• Date and time
• Individuals involved
• Description of the incident
• Actions taken
• Witness information
• Follow-up recommendations

Reports should be submitted to program leadership as soon as possible following the incident.
Confidentiality
Information shared by participants should be treated with care and discretion.
However, confidentiality is limited when concerns involve:

• Abuse or neglect
• Threats of self-harm
• Threats toward others
• Criminal activity
• Situations requiring mandatory reporting

Participants should be informed of these limits when appropriate.
Shared Responsibility
Protecting youth is not the responsibility of one person—it is the responsibility of every mentor, volunteer, staff member, parent, and participant.
By participating in the P.L.S.M. Youth Program, all parties agree to uphold these standards and contribute to a culture of safety, accountability, respect, and care.
A safe environment allows young men to grow, families to trust, and transformation to flourish.