Maine Township's MaineStay Mentor Program Expands

Due to the success of its site-based mentoring program launched in
February, Maine Township’s MaineStay Youth & Family Services will be
expanding it to a second night starting in October, 2016. This program,
offered in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan
Chicago, is designed to help youth take positive steps towards academic
and future success by being matched with a positive adult r
The
new session for students in grades 3-5 will meet on Mondays twice each
month from 6-7:30 p.m. in a safe and structured group setting with up to
20 matched pairs of mentors and youth at the Maine Township Town Hall,
1700 Ballard Rd., Park Ridge. MaineStay is currently accepting
applications for both mentors and youth. Interested volunteers or
parents should contact Anne at 847-297-2510, ext. 272 or acamarano@mainetown.com.

“We are very pleased to be working with young children in this kind
of early intervention program before they get involved with a gang
influence,” says Township Supervisor Carol A. Teschky. “We are
especially pleased to offer this in partnership with Big Brothers, Big
Sisters.”

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. Program content focuses on enhancing
children’s social skills, confidence, academic success, and ability to
avoid risky behavior. Students will enjoy fun and engaging activities,
snacks and healthy interaction with peers.
Volunteers must be at
least 18 years of age and be willing to commit to the program for a
minimum of one year. All volunteers will undergo an extensive screening
process, background check and training before being matched with a child
of the same gender. No contact between mentors and youth will be
permitted outside of group sessions.

“Many of today’s youth spend very little time with positive adult
role models, so programs like this can significantly change the course
of a child’s life,” says Richard Lyon, MaineStay Director. “We have seen
some amazing stories unfold during the first six months of the program
and look forward to discovering many exciting new stories yet to be
told.”

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.

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

Caption: Participants and Mentors enjoy a game requiring maximum team cooperation.