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Established in 1986 the Norwalk Public School Mentor Program is one of the longest-running and most acclaimed programs in the country. The Mentor Program model is based on a one-to-one relationship between a deserving student and a caring adult volunteer.
Currently, the mentor program has 165 Mentors from various businesses throughout Norwalk such as Stew Leonard's, Northrop Grumman Corporation Norden Systems, GE Commercial Finance, FactSet Research Systems, Marsh USA, Yankee Gas, and many others. In addition, the program includes volunteers who are affectionately called 'Diamonds' (retired individuals) as well as local officials including Mayor Moccia.
The Mentor Program is still looking for more mentors to dedicate one
hour a week with a deserving student from any of the 19 Schools in
Norwalk. For more information please contact Jackie Effren, Mentor
Coordinator, Human Services Council at 203-849-1111.
The program is school-based, has a flexible schedule and you can select a school near your home or work for convenience. |
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What is a Mentor?
A mentor is a sustained relationship between a youth and an adult.
Through continued involvement in a school-based atmosphere, the mentor offers support, guidance, and assistance as the younger person goes through a difficult period, or faces new challenges.
A mentor is a special type of volunteer. A mentor is an individual committed to helping a youth get his/her life - academically, socially, and mentally-back together. The role of the mentor is multi-faceted. A mentor is a positive role model, but most of all, a mentor is a friend to the student. |
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How does the student benefit?
Children in the program have improved:
- Academic performance
- Attendance
- Attitudes towards schoolwork
- Communication skills
- Peer/family relationships
- Self-esteem
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Mentoring Benefits Employers and Employees
National and Connecticut studies reveal that employees who mentor benefit as much as the child. Employees who are mentors:
- Improve their morale
- Experience greater job satisfaction
- Are willing to work longer hours
- Are more appreciative of youth from diverse backgrounds
- Are more loyal and have greater pride in their company
- Feel better about themselves for having affected a child's life
- Learn more about themselves
- Are more patient
- Increase their own sense of responsibility
- Get a long better with their own spouses, children and significant others
- Accept more challenges at work and at home.
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Mentoring Benefits Businesses
As if benefits to employees are not enough, businesses are also benefiting from mentoring. Companies have found that they have:
- Improved their image in the community
- Increased community awareness of their mission
- Prepared the work force of the twenty-first century
- Advanced their diversity goals
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A Connecticut Mentoring Partnership study of 500 mentors found:
- 95% were satisfied with the experience
- 99% believe their company should invest in youth (through future workforce)
- 89% said the mentoring program made them proud to work for their company
- 63% said they feel more productive at work after mentoring
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Benefits of Mentoring
Youth who have mentors just one hour a week improve in the following ways:
- Improve attendance
- Increase communication
- Take more risks
- Are more enthusiastic
- Improve eye contact
- Decrease hostility
- Improve interaction with peers
- Reduce detentions
- Improve appearance
- Pay more attention
- Improve self-esteem and attitudes
- Exhibit more self control
- Are more responsible
- Improve academic performance
- Tolerate frustrations
- Follow directions better
- Get along better with families
- Less likely to get involved with drugs and alcohol
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What does it take to become a Mentor for the Norwalk Public Schools?
The Mentor Program follows a Six Step Process:
1. Recruitment & Screening
- Based on school needs assessments, volunteers are recruited, interviewed and screened.
- Personal references, criminal checks and other evidence of character and reliability are required.
2. Training & Orientation
- Training session led by experts. Learn about liability issues, confidentiality, how to instill self-esteem, goal setting, and the role of the family.
- At school orientation meeting, hear about a typical day in the life of a student, scheduling procedures, check-in requirements. Also, meet teachers and support staff.
- Receive tips, strategies, and activities for their weekly sessions.
3. Matching Mentor to Mentee
- Mentor completes profile with preferences for meeting times, grade level, and special interests.
- School staff uses a specific set of criteria to recommend students for the program.
- Mentors sign a release agreement and parental permission is obtained.
4. Weekly Sessions: minimum one hour per week
- Elementary school (Grades K-5): build self esteem by reading, conversation, playing games, walking outside, working out in the gym, practicing musical instruments together, reinforce values and being there as a friend.
- Middle and High schools (Grades 6-12): All the above plus assist with career options, school-to-career transition, interviewing skills, community service, college plans and academic performance.
5. Program Evaluation
- Personal growth of students is evaluated by attendance records, anecdotal information from teachers about work habits, academic performance and a pre-post self-esteem inventory.
- Teachers, mentors, and parents evaluate the program and its impact on mentees.
6. Year-End Celebrations & Renewal
- Communication with teachers and parents is at school or system wide where they are honored and thanked.
- Renewal for another year is pledged.
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Contact
For more information or an application, please email Jackie
Effren.
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