Mentors Needed More Than Ever
Every young person deserves an advocate; someone to listen, guide the way, and provide support; particularly given the last two years of social distancing and limited social interaction with classmates and friends. Many students have expressed feeling worried, overwhelmed and even fearful. Mentorship can greatly impact a student’s mental health and well-being by helping them overcome these feelings; and by improving their self-esteem, school performance and social skills.
Connecting students to caring adults through mentoring has been part of our work at Miami-Dade County Public Schools through the School Volunteer Program since 1972. In partnership with organizations including 5000 Role Models of Excellence, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Take Stock in Children, 100 Black Men of South Florida, Women of Tomorrow and others, this important work is made possible. These organizations recruit, train and assist us in matching volunteers with students, and they have tackled the obstacles of COVID-19 to continue this important work. We value their continued and long-standing partnership.
Last year we expanded these mentoring opportunities, with our School Board launching a Girl-to-Girl Mentoring Initiative in partnership with the non-profit, Global G.L.O.W. (Girls Leading Our World). The program enlists accomplished female adults from local community, civic, and professional organizations as mentors. Nine high schools formed and an additional nine this year are forming after-school clubs where girls and their mentors will work together using an evidence-based curriculum that combines social-emotional learning, literacy and self-expression skills, and advocacy training. Research shows that one out of every four female students report that their greatest challenges in attending college are confidence, motivation and support. Having a mentor improves their academic, social, and economic success.
As we celebrate National Mentoring Month in January, what a better time than now, to step up and become a mentor. All students benefit from role models to help them grow personally and expand their opportunities. You can be that positive role model in a student’s life. You can help them see the glass as half full instead of half empty and send the message that he or she is important in this world.
If you are someone who likes working with youth, someone who can be an objective observer, and consider yourself an encourager and a good listener, mentoring is for you. Through simply devoting at least one hour a week to mentoring, you will find the experience extremely rewarding. Let us connect you with one of our partner mentoring organizations by visiting: https://www.engagemiamidade.net/community-everybody-mentors or give us a call at 305-995-2995
