Youth Mentorship Through Mechanical, Media, and Hands-On Skill-Building
HighOctane Heroes is a youth mentorship program offered by On The Other Side of the Fence, Inc. that uses hands-on mechanical projects, media creation, and structured activities to help youth build real-world skills, confidence, and responsibility.
The program is designed for teens who benefit from learning by doing — especially those who need positive outlets, structure, and meaningful engagement beyond screens.
What Youth Learn
HighOctane Heroes focuses on practical, transferable skills that support growth at home, school, and in the community.
Participants have opportunities to develop:
- Mechanical and technical skills through supervised, hands-on projects
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Communication and teamwork
- Accountability and follow-through
- Media and storytelling skills, including filming, editing, and responsible content creation
- Respect for safety, tools, and shared workspaces
All activities are structured, supervised, and age-appropriate.
Building More Than Skills
HighOctane Heroes is not just about mechanics or racing — it’s about learning how to show up, stay focused, and work toward something real.
Youth gain:
- Increased confidence from completing tangible projects
- Experience working with mentors and peers
- Exposure to trade, technical, and creative career pathways
- Opportunities to practice leadership and responsibility
Animal-Assisted Learning
When appropriate, HighOctane Heroes integrates Animal-Assisted Activities (AAA) using rescue dogs from our organization.
These interactions are:
- Optional and carefully assessed
- Fully supervised
- Educational and supportive (not therapy)
Through appropriate interaction, youth may build empathy, patience, emotional awareness, and responsibility while learning humane care and respect for animals.
Not every rescue dog participates — safety and welfare always come first.
Support for Families
HighOctane Heroes supports families by giving youth structure, accountability, and something productive to show up for.
When teens are engaged in hands-on projects, families often see:
- better use of time outside school
- clearer expectations and follow-through
- improved communication around goals and responsibilities
- fewer idle hours spent on screens
Families may also participate in scheduled events or approved volunteer opportunities, creating shared experiences around progress — not conflict.
Family participation opportunities may include scheduled events or volunteer involvement when appropriate.
For Sponsors and Supporters
HighOctane Heroes exists because community members step in where funding and opportunity fall short.
Hands-on programs cost more than worksheets and lectures. Tools wear out. Safety gear is non-negotiable. Mechanical and media projects require real equipment. Rescue animals require ongoing care.
Community support makes this possible.
When individuals and businesses support HighOctane Heroes, they help provide:
- Safe tools and protective equipment youth can actually use
- Mechanical and media supplies that turn learning into real experience
- Transportation and materials needed to show up consistently
- Veterinary care and rescue support connected to youth involvement
More importantly, that support creates access — access to skills, mentors, responsibility, and experiences many youth would not otherwise have.
Sponsors aren’t funding an activity.
They’re helping build structure, accountability, and opportunity — one project, one skill, one young person at a time.
Get Involved
You can support HighOctane Heroes by:
- Donating to support youth programming and supplies
- Sponsoring a project or activity
- Volunteering approved skills or time
- Referring youth who may benefit from structured, hands-on learning
HighOctane Heroes helps youth build real skills, real confidence, and real responsibility — one project at a time.
So, what are you waiting for? Join the High-Octane Heroes crew today and help your child rev up their future!