For more than 30 years, our Mentoring Youth program has helped children with emotional, behavioral, or social issues. A study by Big Brothers/Big Sisters has shown that a child with a mentor in his or her life is 52% less likely to skip school, 46% less likely to experiment with drugs, and 33% less likely to hit someone or start drinking. With a solid mentoring match, youth experience a positive atmosphere that not only improves their academic performance, but also their sociability.
The next four-week Mentoring Youth training program begins on Wednesday, September 17th. Training is held on Wednesdays from 7:00-9:30 pm at the Volunteer Center of Bergen County, in Hackensack, and there is no charge. Trainees will learn communication skills, about child and adolescent development, and about issues regarding child maltreatment.
Yet, it is not only the children who are in need. Mentors are also needed to help overwhelmed mothers. Mentoring Moms, another program sponsored by the Volunteer Center, helps mothers cope with the myriad daily challenges of raising a family.
Being a mother is hard work; every day there are anxieties, and mothers with no support system may be leading themselves into isolation, resulting in neglect of their children. A mentor can become the mother’s support system and be an encouraging friend, helping the mom break overwhelming challenges into smaller, solvable steps.
Fall training for the Mentoring Moms program starts on Monday, October 6, from 7:00 to 9:30 pm at the Volunteer Center of Bergen County. Trainees will develop communication and listening skills and learn from previous mentors’ experiences.
For more information about the Mentoring Youth program contact Eva Tobias at 201-489-9454 ext. 121.
For more information about the Mentoring Moms program contact Cindy Andrake at 201-489-9454 ext. 123.
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