MaineStay Seeks Volunteer Mentors for Youth Program

Maine Township’s MaineStay Youth & Family
Services Seeks Volunteers for New Mentoring Program

Maine Township’s MaineStay Youth & Family Services is looking for volunteer mentors for the new site-based mentoring program that begins in February, 2016. This program, offered in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago, will match each mentor with a student in grades 4-6 to form a mentoring relationship.

Participants will meet twice each month from 6-7:30 p.m. in a structured group setting at the Maine Township Town Hall, 1700 Ballard Rd., Park Ridge. Interested volunteers should contact Anne Camarano at 847-297-2510 Ext. 272 or acamarano@mainetown.com.

“The small contribution of only three hours of time per month can change the course of a child’s life,” says Richard Lyon, MaineStay Director. “Mentors get much from this experience too.”

During the program, mentors and youth will engage in a combination of one-on-one time and group activities focused on the social and emotional development of youth. Themes discussed will include academic success, avoiding risky behavior, relationship building and increasing confidence. No outside contact between mentors and youth will be permitted. Volunteers must be willing to commit to the program for a minimum of one year, be a minimum of 18 years of age, and be willing to go through a full background check and enrollment process.

Independent research shows Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring programs have a measurable, positive impact in children’s lives. In a nationwide study, Little Brothers and Little Sisters were 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs, 27% less likely to begin using alcohol, 52% less likely to skip school, 37% less likely to skip a class, more confident of their performance in schoolwork, one-third less likely to hit someone, and able to get along better with their families.

Big Brothers Big Sisters, the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, has operated for more than 100 years under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. They are experts at developing positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people. MaineStay Youth & Family Services was founded in 1975 and exists to support the growth of healthier families in the Maine Township community by providing affordable strength-based counseling and comprehensive programs focused on prevention and education. By working together through this partnership both will be able to offer expanded services to serve the needs of the local community.

For more information about MaineStay’s mentoring program or other services, please visit www.mainetownship.com/mainestay  or call 847-297-2510 Ext 272.