Programs

Mentoring

The human brain is wired for relationships – this is why mentoring is so powerful! The more caring, responsible adults in a young person’s life, the more likely they are to thrive.   In fact, research is very clear: mentoring programs like ours that follow evidence based practices are proven effective in a number of ways.

For example, mentored youth in our programs are significantly more likely than non-mentored youth to make plans for their future and less likely to commit an act of delinquency at school or in the community.  These youth have fewer unexcused absences than their non-mentored peers and they report feeling more connected to adults.  Where depressive symptoms or behavior problems exist, these improve after just one year with a mentor.

At Citizens For Safe Schools, we offer a variety of models of mentorship including:

Adult to Youth Mentoring: This one-on-one mentoring model matches a positive adult with a youth. Mentors provide encouragement, support and guidance. They are a wise older friend who role models to to develop critical thinking skills, set goals and successfully navigate life’s challenges.

Peer Mentoring Circles: Our Peer Mentoring Circles utilize the One Circle Foundation model and curricula. They aim to counteract social and interpersonal forces that impede healthy adolescent growth and development by promoting an emotionally safe setting and structure within which youth can develop caring relationships, discover and empower their authentic voices, and build leadership and community among peers. Circles are comprised of youth with shared experiences and identities

Youth Led Action Mentoring: Utilizing a Youth Adult Partnership model, Youth Led Action engages youth as resources and leaders whose actions are supported by adults. Youth have opportunities to analyze issues that affect them and develop creative actions to influence community decision making and promote safety, health, and wellness for their peers and generations to come.

Mentoring is a rewarding way to invest in a young person and in our community. 
When you mentor one child, you change two lives.

To learn more and sign up to be a mentor or mentee, email us at info@citizensforsafeschools.org