Street School > Community Impact > Mentor Program

Mentor Program

Tennyson_Christy Allen

 

The Value of Mentoring

Mentoring helps because it guarantees a young person that there is someone who cares about them. A child is not alone in dealing with day-to-day challenges. Simple things that seem easy or straightforward to you may appear to be a complete mystery to a young person.  Mentors provide mentees with an experienced friend who is there to help in any number of situations.

Street School has 35-40 mentors that work one hour each week with an assigned student.  The mentor coordinator works to match mentors and mentees so a benefial relationship can form between the two.  Mentors are provided with training and access to help should questions arise.  Once annually, Street School conducts a “Mentor Luncheon” for all mentors to gather in one place, catch up and receive any updated information.

 

Support for educationMichael Ingram_Scientist Tutor

  • Mentors help keep students in school.
  • Students who meet regularly with a mentors are 52% less likely than their peers to skip  school and 37% less likely to skip class (Public/Private Ventures study of Big Brothers Big Sisters).
  • Mentors help with homework and can improve a mentees’ academic skills.

 

Support with day-to-day living

  • Mentors help improve a young person’s self-esteem.
  • Youth who meet regularly with their mentors are 46% less likely than their peers to start using illegal drugs and 27% less likely to start drinking (Public/Private Ventures study of Big Brothers Big Sisters).
  • Mentors help them strengthen communication skills.

 

Statistics and ResearchDSC00009

The 2013 study “The Role of Risk: Mentoring Experiences and Outcomes for Youth with Varying Risk Profiles,” examined mentoring program relationships, experiences and benefits for at-risk youth.  The findings determined:

  • The strongest program benefit was a reduction in depressive symptoms — a particularly noteworthy finding given that almost one in four youth reported worrisome levels of these symptoms.
  • Gains in social acceptance, academic attitudes and grades.

The following forms and information will be provided to all mentors.  If you are interested in learning more, please contact Kelly McElroy at 918-833-9800 or email her at mcelrke@tulsaschools.org and she will let you know when the next orientation is.