You have what it takes to be a mentor
You have what it takes to be a mentor!
A three-year initiative to recruit at least 200 members of the baby boom generation as mentors for Rochester City School District students is underway by Lifespan and Rochester Mentors.
The goal of the Boomer Mentors project is to tap the knowledge and experience of this generation to help improve the district’s graduation rate. It’s acknowledged that evidence-based mentoring improves academic performance because mentors become influential role models in the lives of youth. The project traces its inspiration to the 2005 Call to Arms report by a blue ribbon task force that called for 10,000 mentors. Baby boomers, now age 46 to 64, were born between 1946 and 1964.
It’s often said that the boomer generation changed the world. Now we’re asking them to help change lives by taking on the role of mentor and friend for district students. Boomers want to know they are making a difference when they volunteer, and mentoring does make a difference.
Jeff Newland, project director and president of Rochester Mentors, an association of existing mentoring organizations, saw mentoring work during his five-year tenure as president of Big Brothers Big Sisters. “When you provide safe, professionally supported matches, it’s amazing for the child and sometimes even more amazing for the adult,” Newland says.
“We are recruiting on behalf of existing, professionally operated mentoring programs. Additional training and social opportunities for the mentors also will be available through the project. Recruiting men will be a key focus of the project because of the long waiting lists for matches for boys at the mentoring organizations.”
Click here to go to Rochester Mentors website for more information.
Sign up for information sessions on July 10 or 27 or others in August right here
