The All Our Kids mentoring program has two types of mentoring available to volunteers, one-to-one and group. Because the one-to-one model also has a group component, the mentoring experience for volunteers is very similar.
 |
 |
 |
| Matched with one student in an established group |
X | |
| Matched with 2-4 students in an established group with 6-8 other mentors | X | |
Meet with students at agency facilitated activities |
X | X |
| Meet with students outside of agency sponsored events |
X | |
| One phone call per week to student |
X | X |
| Closely monitored by program staff for support and case management | X | X |
| Participate in quarterly mentor only meetings |
X | X |
| Receive quarterly updates on student academic progress |
X | X |
Work with parents as part of a team to keep kids on track and in school |
X | X |
| Complete quarterly surveys to offer program feedback and information on mentoring experience | X | X |
| Receive ongoing recognition, support and incentives for meeting program goals | X | X |
Youth mentoring can be a structured, one-to-one relationship between a student and an adult. Mentoring is a proven method of helping young, at-risk students the opportunity lay the groundwork for a better future.
A mentor is a caring, responsible adult who helps guide and encourage a child to make good decisions and reach his or her full potential by developing character and confidence. Mentors act as positive role models and teachers to the students. Mentoring is based on mutual trust, respect and acceptance. Many of our mentors and students remain life-long friends long after the child’s graduation from the program.
At-risk students are identified in school by teachers and counselors. All Our Kids matches mentors with students and families are contacted for approval and encouraged to support the child throughout the mentoring process. All Our Kids works with students at the sixth grade, middle school and high school levels, as these are crucial years for students. Most of these kids are moderately at-risk and mentors have a better chance of influencing them before they move on into potentially higher-risk situations as they get older.
For many students, the lack of a stable family life puts the kids at-risk. Unfortunately, students who demonstrate potential are many times stopped short due to the lack of support, either due to family situations or financial concerns. Even kids from a supportive, caring family are eligible for participation in the program. Sometimes they just need additional attention and the chance to see what future opportunities are available to them.
Why mentor?
At-risk kids face many obstacles. Some include:
- Young people from poor families may worry more about food and clothing instead of completing high school and pursuing higher education.
- Peer pressure may encourage a young person to use alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, or to engage in sexual relations at a young age. Negative messages may lure a youth to join a gang, commit crimes, and use violence to solve problems.
- Within families, youngsters may be coping with
abuse or neglect, or they may struggling to keep up with schoolwork
while caring for
younger siblings.
All Our Kids believes mentoring closes the gap between at-risk behavior and becoming a valuable member of society. - Every young person deserves the opportunity to become a productive and economically self-sufficient adult.
- Mentoring is an effective strategy to provide young people with the opportunities they need to become successful adults.
- Emphasis should be placed on providing mentoring opportunities for those young people who are considered at-risk.
Who can be a mentor?
Anyone interested in bettering the lives of children can be a mentor.
Mentors of All Our Kids come from all walks of life; however, their
commonality is helping at-risk kids. Caring adults are recruited
from corporations,
places of worship, civic organizations and the general community.
From college students to retirees, all mentors share the desire
to help a child succeed.
Each potential mentor is screened with an interview and a criminal
background check.
Many busy people manage to make mentoring a part of their lives because
they know it's both valuable and fulfilling. All Our Kids ask mentors
to follow the below guidelines.
- Stay with a student for a minimum of 1 year (preferably longer). The power of a mentoring relationship builds over time. Five years takes a student from 8th grade through high school graduation.
- Devote 2 hours monthly to a structured, group activity.
- Spend 2-4 hours each month with your student, one-to-one, face-to-face, and on the phone.
How mentors and students spend their time depends a lot on their personal interest and needs. Mentors can:
- Review schoolwork.
- Go to lunch, a movie or a game.
- Shoot some hoops, run, or bike.
- Explore career options.
- Take students on a family outing.
- Visit new places like a museum or nature center.
- Attend school functions.
- Talk... and listen