SIB-initiated mentoring programs incorporate the California Mentor Initiative's Ten Quality Assurance Standards, identified as critical to ensuring the success of a mentoring program and providing safe environments for students. The Mentor Project currently has dozens of students who need mentors. Unfortunately, The Mentor Project has not been able to locate enough mentors to meet the student demand. The purpose of the mentoring relationship is to help students develop their full potential, both inside and outside of the classroom. The mentor becomes a role model providing academic help, career advice, emotional support and social skill development.
Mentors can have a very positive influence on one's life.
They can open up new avenues of thought, knowledge, communication, motivation, friendship and problem resolution. They can also help young people steer clear of influences such as drug abuse, alcoholism, gang membership, crime and negative peer pressure. The short term and long term benefits of having a mentor are simply unlimited. If you are over 21 years of age and you have something to offer a young person, you should consider becoming a mentor. You don't have to be working in a special profession to become a mentor.