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POWER 4 Youth
© 2008
Revised 4/22/08
For Mentors
POWER 4 Youth
provides academic mentoring to at-risk middle and high school youth in Long
Beach, Lakewood and Fullerton communities. Meeting at supervised locations, POWER 4 Youth
volunteer mentors provide basic academic support and encourage scholastic
achievement while mentoring youth in their self-development.
POWER
4 Youth
was
created by adults who saw a need for one-on-one caring in their communities.
Mentors provide support, encouragement and skill development to
kids who want to succeed. POWER 4 Youth is for all kids age 12 to 17.
The
qualifications
to be
a mentor are a genuine interest in youth, the ability to listen
non-judgmentally, dependability and the desire to give back to the community.
Free training and support create a successful experience for both the youth and
adult. Mentors come from
all professions
and
walks of life.
|
Our Vision |
Mentoring pairs meet weekly at supervised sites to work on homework, improve study skills, play educational games, develop life-success skills (such as time management and conflict resolution) and attend quarterly field trips. Field trips to places such as the Latin American Museum of Art keep learning interesting, and introduce the youth to the resources around them. POWER 4 Youth adds new mentoring pairs each month.
POWER 4 Youth mentoring year follows the
school year. Pairs may be recruited and matched
anytime during the year, and continue to meet through July (the end of the
school year). Mentoring sessions begin again the first of September, with
the start of the new school year.
Currently, five sites are located in Long Beach, Lakewood and Fullerton, California. Each location serves youth from the neighborhood, as well as students from surrounding cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a mentor and what do
they do?
Who are kids I will be mentoring?
How much time does it take?
What if I want to
spend more time with my student?
How long is the commitment
to be a mentor?
Are there other opportunities to help POWER 4 Youth without being a mentor?
Do I have to belong to
the church to volunteer?
What is a mentor and what do they
do?
Mentors are concerned adults who possess a sense of
moral responsibility and a desire to share themselves by passing on their wisdom
and skills to a younger person. When they meet with their student, they act as
friends. They share academic and professional information and experiences. By
sharing time, they are saying, “You are worth my time and effort because you are
a valuable human being, and I can help show you ways to expand your horizons and
increase the likelihood that you will succeed.”
Who are kids I will be mentoring?
POWER 4 Youth serves boys and girls age 12 to 17 from
local neighborhoods. Students enter the program typically when they are in the
7th or 8th grades.
How much time does it take?
POWER 4 Youth mentors meet weekly for 1˝ hours with
their students. Pairs meet at regularly set times and days each week at the
church site. Additionally, the mentor may need to make phone contact during the
week with the student, his/her parent, teacher, counselor or the Program
Coordinator.
What if I want to
spend more time with my student?
Initially, contact outside of the designated times are
discouraged. This has to do mainly with liability and safety concerns. Also,
the first months of the relationship are spent getting to know each
other--something that can be best facilitated in a supervised setting. However,
mentors should talk this over with the Program Coordinator if there is a real
desire to spend additional time together.
How long is the commitment
to be a mentor?
Adults and students who participate in the program
commit to the academic school year. If a mentor joins after school has begun,
s/he commits to complete that school year (through July). Each summer, adults
and students meet with the Program Coordinator, and may renew their commitment
to continue another year.
Are there other opportunities to help POWER 4 Youth without being a mentor?
You bet! Assisting with food or site set-up,
coordinating volunteers’ schedules, helping with publicity, fund development,
phone calling or speaker’s bureau are just some of the many volunteer
opportunities available in a capacity other than mentor.
Do I have to belong to
the church to volunteer?
No. Although POWER 4 Youth meets at church sites,
mentors (and youth) come from all backgrounds, and there is no religious
affiliation requirement.