MENTORING

Mentors Matter

Everyone has the potential to succeed in school and in life, yet not all receive the support they need to achieve this success. Many students live in situations that put them at risk of making poor choices and of not living up to their potential. Without immediate intervention by caring adults, these students could make choices that undermine their futures and, ultimately, the economic and social well-being of our community.
Mentors—caring adults that offer support, advice, friendship and consistency—are powerful tools in helping young people reach their potential.

You can be a mentor. By giving just one hour a week of your time, you can bring new hope to a struggling student through the power of friendship and support. You’ll be surprised at how rewarding the experience can be.

For more information or to set up a Mentor Training contact mentoring@centerpointga.org or call (678) 997-1990

REACH

REACH (Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen) is Georgia’s First public-private needs-based scholarship program. The Governor’s initiative will begin this year in Hall County and Gainesville City Schools. Thirteen students will be added each year; eighth graders identified will be paired with a Mentor who will stay with that child through graduation. If completed, the child receives a $10,000.00 scholarship. A uniquely Georgia program, Center Point is proud to recruit, train and provide the Mentors!

Read Learn Succeed

Center Point has partnered with United Way via Read Learn Succeed to train and place Mentors in pre-school and kindergarten classes to assist teachers with reading skills. Since reading is the key to all education, we are proud to help coordinate this program.

CHINS

CHINS (Children in Need of Services) is Governor Deal’s 2014 initiative to intervene with children who have committed acts that are “against the law” by virtue of their status as children, such as skipping school, violating curfew, or running away from home. We have partnered with the Department of Juvenile Justice to place Mentors with these children, in an effort to stop the pattern of misbehavior before the child reaches adulthood.

Forms

Mentor Application (English)

Mentee Application (English)

Mentee Application (Español)

Parent Permission Form (English)

Parent Permission Form (Español)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is required to become a Mentor?

You must be willing to commit one hour a week throughout the school year, pass a criminal background check, and complete a two-hour Center Point training.

I travel frequently. Can I still be a Mentor?

Yes. Simply tell your student and the school counselor, in advance, when you will be away. If the student knows ahead of time, it is easier to adjust to your absence.

Can I see my student after school hours?

Center Point Mentor Program is a school-based program. Mentors meet with their students during school hours on school grounds. If over a period of time your relationship develops where you wish to meet with your student off-campus, you must have the parents sign a Parent Release of Liability form and return it to Center Point. This form releases Center Point and our local schools from any liability.

My student is easily distracted and it takes the entire 30 minutes to get him/her to settle down. What should I do?

Be patient, speak with the school counselor and Center Point Mentor Program Director to ask for suggestions on how to get the student to focus. Sometimes it just takes time but there also some students that are not ready for a Mentor. If the problem continues to persist the option of matching you with another student is a potential solution.

What if I don't get along with my student?

It often takes several meetings before a student warms to a mentor. Occasionally the mentor-student match is not a good fit. If you have met with your student six or more times and you do not feel that he/she is enjoying the interaction, let the school counselor and Center Point Mentor Program Director know your concerns. It is very important that this be a positive experience for Mentor and mentee and Center Point will do everything possible to make sure this happens, including identifying a more positive match if the need arises.