|
Mentoring moved to Boys, Girls Club |
|
Tuesday, 25 August 2009 |
By Jenny Huggins
News Reporter
The LeFlore County Branch of the Boys and Girls Club has taken over the YES Mentoring Program established by Poteau Public Schools in 2005.
A mentor is a special volunteer who is committed to expending the time and energy to serve as a positive guide and role model to the youth in schools. Students who have mentors generally have better grades, fewer discipline referrals, increased attendance, better social skills, increased self-esteem, improved self-confidence and the support and guidance of a caring adult who is not a member of the family.
David Deaton, Mentor Coordinator, stated, "The Boys and Girls Club plans to extend the program from just Poteau fourth through eight grade students to include Heavener students as well. We are still in need of mentors, especially female mentors."
Each mentor spends approximately 40 minutes a week during the school day with the student they are mentoring. There are 50 kids enrolled in the program at this time. Those students will be assigned with an individual who can play games with them, help them keep their grades up and encourage them to do well in school all in an effort to help them succeed.
The Boys and Girls Club office is located inside Dewey Plaza in Poteau. The mentoring program will start the week after Labor Day. There is an application process to become a mentor which includes a background check.
|
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 26 August 2009 )
|
