Mentors Needed for SCOE Program at Calvine High

The Sacramento County Office of Education is looking for adults to mentor students for an hour a week at several area schools, including Calvine High School.

"Mentoring doesn’t require a unique skill," the office said in a press release. "It just takes a willingness to listen, offer encouragement, and share knowledge of what you’ve learned about life."

Mentors may commit to a semester or year-long term, and will center on themes like personal finances, preparing for the future, health, career advice and more.

The full press release follows:

Teens Need You to Give Back: Become a Mentor

Sacramento County Office of Education Recruiting Adult Mentors for Youth Leadership Program

The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) is seeking adult mentors to serve as positive role models for one hour a week as part of the LINKS Mentoring Program for high school students for the 2012-13 school year.

Mentoring doesn’t require a unique skill. It just takes a willingness to listen, offer encouragement, and share knowledge of what you’ve learned about life.

The target start date for the LINKS Mentoring Program is the week of September 5, 2012. Qualifying mentors may commit to a semester or the school year. Group mentoring sessions and activities center on themes including:

• Planning for the Future
• Interpersonal/Life Skills
• Financial Savvy and Money Management
• Career Exploration/Job Seeking Skills
• Community Service/Service Learning Projects
• Health and Wellness

The format of mentoring sessions includes individual and team mentoring in a group setting.  Weekly mentoring sessions occur on a set meeting day and time determined by each participating school. SCOE staff members facilitate mentor sessions, organize activities, and provide materials and support. Meeting days and times for each site will be determined before sessions begin.

Prospective mentors will be provided orientation and training before beginning group mentoring sessions.  Several orientation and training events are available during August, 2012.  Orientation and training include: an overview of the program’s mission and goals; summary of program policies; a description of the screening process, suitability requirements; qualities of successful mentors; the stages of the mentoring relationship; the level of commitment desired; benefits and rewards of participation in the program; communication tips and tools; and an opportunity to hear from returning mentors about their experiences in the program.  

In addition to recruiting individual volunteer mentors, SCOE is interested in forming partnerships with businesses and organizations that would support their employees or members in volunteering one hour per week to serve as mentors for deserving high school students.

LINKS Mentors may select from the following participating school sites:

• Elinor Hickey Jr/Sr High School (SCOE)2040 Ethan WaySacramento, CA 95825
• North Area Jr/Sr High School (SCOE)4000 Pinell StreetSacramento, CA 95838
• Calvine High School (Elk Grove Unified School District)8333 Vintage Park DriveSacramento, CA 95828
• Kinney High School (Folsom Cordova Unified School District)2710 Kilgore RoadRancho Cordova, CA 95670-6104

The LINKS Mentoring Program is operated by SCOE’s Prevention and Student Services (PASS) Department. The program is made possible through a grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

LINKS Mentoring is a part of the LINKS Program, a groundbreaking SCOE career technical education model aimed at helping underserved students succeed. LINKS services are tailored to individual students based on their specific needs instead of through traditional, scripted education. LINKS Mentoring is one more service aimed at helping young people develop leadership and life skills for personal success.

To learn more about the LINKS Mentoring Program and to apply to become a mentor, contact Cheryl Raney (916) 228-2201 or craney@scoe.net.

--

Sign up for the free Elk Grove Patch newsletter | Like Elk Grove Patch on Facebook | Follow @ElkGrovePatch on Twitter | Blog for Elk Grove Patch