| Project One-on-One:
Academic Mentors
Consistent readers of A Helping Hand (CRN's Newsletter) are familiar with how often we talk about Project One-on-One. Unlike one-day events where everyone has a good time, academic mentoring takes considerably more commitment and effort, and is not always fun. Establishing trust and communication with kids who have learned the hard way to fear adults because they are untrustworthy - or at best unreliable - can be very difficult.
Our program is structured as team mentoring, meaning a team of volunteers meets with a group of children at the same time. This way if one or more volunteers are unable to make it to a session, the children can still benefit from someone's help. We try to keep the ratio one to one, but this is not always possible due to limited volunteer resources. That's why it's so important to be consistent and reliable, and to help us get the word out!
 
The mentor sessions are academically focused. There will be lesson guides to help you teach reading, writing, or math skills. You will find that most of the students are lacking in basic skills and the best way to help them is to fill in those gaps. Students may or may not have homework, and they may or may not want to work on it. Don't push the issue. If they want homework help then you can certainly offer that, and if not then work with the lesson guides. Hopefully your students will begin to take interest in their homework!
We call it a mentoring program because without a trusting, friendly relationship there is no getting through to a lot of these kids. They need skills, yes; but more than that they need encouragement and attention that is crucial to healthy social development. As a mentor, you can show your students that education is important and learning can be fun, and you can celebrate progress.
For one volunteer's viewpoint on Mentoring: CLICK HERE
CRN has developed lesson guides that some people find useful especially if the child has no regular homework. The lessons are relevant for students from around 2nd grade up to 9th or 10th grade. Each plan has suggestions, and materials needed for a productive mentoring session. Determine where your student is educationally and begin with that plan. There are 20 lessons in each section and they progress from beginners to more advanced.
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To fill out a volunteer sign up sheet: CLICK HERE and at the bottom of the form under comments put interested in mentoring and which evenings you would be available.
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A long-time volunteer mentor shares his experience:
This program offers a rewarding experience to anyone willing to devote time and effort.
There are few things more rewarding than developing a caring relationship with a child who needs a positive adult role model. Children's Restoration Network's academic mentoring program gives compassionate adults the perfect opportunity to reap immense personal satisfaction by enriching the life of a child in need.
Initially, some of the kids will only mumble inaudibly with a hand over their mouth, if they talk at all, and they may not even look you in the eyes. That's because children who have been neglected or abused all their lives are not about to come out of their shell simply because some smiling stranger shows up one night and says he or she wants to help with the homework. But not all the kids in shelters are this way. Many are open, caring, and friendly. Some are smart, sweet, and positive, and are simply looking for adult mentors.
If you want to try mentoring, though, don't come with any preconceived notions. Come with patience and an open mind, and as long as your goal is to do what is in the best interest of the child, you probably will not be disappointed.
And remember, it may take weeks or even months before a child begins to open up to you. But when he or she does it can be very heart-warming. When the child realizes that some person is coming back week after week to personally help, shields and barriers start to come down. Many children will begin to talk more freely, initiate conversations, and if all goes well, begin to trust you. When this happens you will see a change as the child begins to listen to what you have to say.
Again, this volunteer job is not for everyone. It can be discouraging and it can be like work. But few things of real value come easily.
Donations Needed:
- Copy Paper
- Workbooks (K-12)
- Textbooks (K-12)
- Free Passes for Activities (movies, Six Flags, sporting events, bowling, museums, the Zoo, skating, etc.)
- Board Games
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