Our schools need caring adult volunteers who are willing to spend some time with a child who may be struggling or just in need of a little coaching to help him or her reach full potential.
All it takes is one hour each week to begin making a difference
in a child’s life.
What Is Youth Mentoring?
Mentoring is a one to one, caring, supportive relationship between an adult and a youth that is based on trust. This relationship focuses on the needs of the youth and encourages them to develop to their fullest potential based on their own vision for the future. Hundreds of children in a community are eager to connect with adults who are willing to listen and be there for them!
Program Description:
Our program is school-based which means that students and their mentors meet on school grounds, during the school day, following the school calendar. Mentors and students will meet weekly for a friendly visit. Weekly activities might include working on a computer in the library, playing a board game, spending time in the gym, or making a craft.
Who are the mentors?:
Our mentors are from local businesses and the RRPS District Office, as well as the community at large. Before being matched a mentor must successfully complete a rigid screening process that includes an application, reference check, an interview, a police background check and an initial training session.
Roles of a Mentor:
The key ingredient in mentoring is the relationship between the mentor and the student. Like all friendships, there must be caring, trust, acceptance and respect.
Mentors are exemplary role models exhibiting positive attitudes and outlooks. A mentor displays a positive image, one that can guide the mentee’s behaviors and actions. Mentors will: build a trusting relationship, be a good listener, serve as an advocate.
Other roles of a mentor may include:
- Friend
- Coach
- Motivator
- Companion
- Supporter
- Advisor
- Tutor
- Teacher
- Advocate
- Career model
Goals for Mentoring:
- Staying in school to graduate
- Dropout Prevention
- Finding solutions to problems
- Improving behaviors
- Increasing attendance
- Improving academics
- Drug-free and crime- free behavior
- Creating a willingness to trust and accept responsibility
- Promotion from the current grade
- Positive self-esteem
Mentoring requires individuals with a high level of caring for others and a keen interest in having others succeed. Balanced with the key factor of knowing how to develop a positive relationship, the qualities sought in each mentor include:
- Consistency
- Accessibility
- Flexibility
- Fairness
- Persistence
- Personal commitment
- Sense of humor
- Willingness to listen
- Kindness and patience
- Ability to accept different points of view
- Doesn’t jump to conclusions
Vision Statement
“The vision for Rio Rancho Public School’s Mentoring Program is to provide a continuum of mentoring services available to students in a safe, effective manner.”
Mission Statement
“Our mentors will be committed individuals, positive role models, working one-on-one with students for at least a year on a consistent basis, whose goal is to maximize a student’s potential.”
The presence of a variety of positive influences in a child’s environment is crucial. Mentoring relationships help children to develop confidence to seek guidance from caring, supportive adults. It’s a skill that will help them in school, college and the workforce. The mentoring relationship does not replace the role of a parent or teacher.
A mentor is a friend.
RRPS Impact Youth Mentor Program Application
For further information call:
RRPS Student Services Department: (505) 896-0667 ext. 51177 or 51129