Children's Friend and Family ServicesA mentor is a thoughtfully screened adult who volunteers six-to-eight hours monthly to become a guide, support and role model to a carefully matched mentee. The goal of the program is to help 'at risk' children develop self esteem and learn positive behaviors by establishing a trusting relationship while engaging in social, recreational and educational activities. With many successful long-term matches in our program, Children's Friend continues to recruit new mentors to accommodate a growing list of mentees who are hoping that an adult will take a special interest in their lives.
A mentor is a caring, trained adult, who volunteers his/her time to provide friendship and support for a child or adolescent. Mentors are friends and role models, who demonstrate good social behavior, and interest in a youths school performance and social relationships.
Research demonstrates that when youth have a mentor:
A mentor is matched with a youngster, called a mentee, who has similar interests. The mentor makes a one-year commitment, of about 2 hours/week. Mentors and mentees plan their own activities in the community; they may take a walk, go to a movie, do homework, have a catch, or just talk.
Mentors are carefully screened, trained and receive regular ongoing supervision and support from Children's Friend professional staff.
Mentees are referred by parents, educators, and others. They are youth who are at risk of not reaching their full potential. Youth and families participate fully in an initial interview process. Children's Friend staff stays in regular ongoing contact with family and youth.
Suzy is seven. She lives with her mother, who grew up in the Dominican Republic and whose English is limited. Suzy's father has been in and out of her life at irregular intervals. Her mother first referred Suzy's older brother to the mentoring program, because she was concerned about his behavior problems. She then realized mentoring might help Suzy, too. Suzy's mother works two jobs and wanted Suzy to have more adult attention. Jane was a great mentor match for Suzy because they both love to go to the beach and "just play". Suzy worries a lot about her mother's problems, and mentoring gives Suzy a place to be "just a kid".
At one point last year, Jane began to see signs of unusual stress in Suzy, who was getting into trouble at school and in the after-school program. The staff of the mentor program helped Suzy's mother get family counseling to help deal with a family crisis that was fueling Suzy's angry, worried behavior. Jane has been able to continue as a mentor for Suzy without feeling pressured to be a counselor or social worker, and feels reassured that the family is getting needed help.
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