School Mentoring Program Seeks Volunteers

The Enfield Public School Mentoring Program is currently seeking caring adult volunteers to mentor students in grades 1-12.

Volunteers are paired with students who are experiencing difficulties with self-esteem, attendance, academics, and/or social issues. Mentors commit to one hour per week, one-on-one with their mentee at their school for a minimum of one year. This is not a tutoring program. Our current mentors use their time in any way which is special to the pair- playing games, doing crafts, sharing hobbies and talking about their week. Most sessions occur during the students’ lunch periods, recess or study periods.

No special skills are required. Enjoying children and being a good listener are most important. Our mentoring team includes retirees, business people, recent empty-nesters, police officers and firefighters. All Enfield Public Schools have wait lists for mentors, so we can work to place you in a school that is convenient to your home or workplace. We have an especially acute need for male mentors.

Volunteers must be 18 years or older. For the safety of our students, prospective mentors must provide a valid government-issued photo ID and be willing to be fingerprinted. Additionally, mentors must attend a 2-3 hour training session and complete a formal application.

The Enfield Mentoring Program assumes all costs involved with the background check. Mentors are provided with activity materials, advanced training opportunities and coordinator support.

Our next group training session will be held on September 23, 2015 at Central Office, 27 Shaker Road, Enfield. If you are interested in learning more about mentoring in Enfield, please contact Kari Monteforte at either 860-253-4737 or at KMonteforte@enfieldschools.org.

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