School-Based Mentor Program
The School-Based Mentor Program empowers youth to succeed by establishing trusting relationships with adult volunteers. Mentors have a significant impact on youth by providing guidance and developing consistent, long-term friendships.
Volunteers spend one hour per week one-on-one with an elementary, middle or high school student at school. Mentors and students enjoy a variety of activities together, such as working in the computer lab, playing board games, reading a book, playing basketball or simply eating lunch together and talking.
Another option for volunteers who are unable to mentor in person is e-mentoring. E-mentors correspond through monitored electronic communication on a weekly basis. E-mentors also participate in a monthly supervised field trip with their mentee.
Click on the link below for a video about the School-Based Mentor Program.
Why Mentor?
Mentoring builds positive behaviors in children, including:
- Increased self-esteem
- Improved academic skills, attendance, and social development
- Greater awareness of the importance of education
- Heightened sense of citizenship and character development
- Better understanding of trusting relationships
- Increased confidence
The mentoring relationship is rewarding for adults. It can be a way to learn more about yourself and experience the joy of seeing a child grow and change because you were there to help. Businesses value the School-Based Mentor Program because it provides an opportunity for employees to make an impact on the community. Teachers and counselors value mentoring because it brings community members into the schools, making education real for children and showing young people that the community cares about them.
