The mentors meet with their students twice a month after school, spending about two hours together each visit. Derek Mattimoe'97, a former student coordinator for the program, says the students perceive their mentors as friends rather than disciplinary figures. Since the meetings take place in the elementary school, much of the mentoring focuses on tutoring. After spending time together in their assigned pairs, the group closes some meetings with a game of dodge ball. The mentors also plan educational activities and field trips for the group, such as a tour of the hospital, where the mentors explain what it's like to be a medical student, a discussion about health and nutrition, a 3-D IMAX movie, a visit to the New York Public Library, and a trip to the Cloisters museum.
Some mentors ask the students' families for permission to meet outside of the scheduled meetings.
The number of students who want mentors far outnumber the volunteers, so teachers at the Washington Heights elementaryschool must choose the 10 students who ultimately participate. Mr. Mattimoe describes the elementary students as intelligent and capable, but too young to give much thought to their options. This is a critical time for us to develop relationships with these kids. Only after we develop a bond will we be fully able to help these kids with choosing their futures. Mr. Mattimoe plans to stay in touch with Roy and help out when it's time for him to tackle some of life's challenges, such as whether to attend college, choosing a career, or seeking financial aid for college.