Student mentors sought

The Friends Mentoring Program of the Fayette County Public School System is celebrating National Mentoring Month throughout January by recognizing the service of current mentors, and recruiting new program participants to ensure that every student who needs a mentor has one.

The theme for this year’s National Mentoring Month, as well as for the entire year, is “Mentor in Real Life.” The messaging strategy behind the theme is to position mentoring as a critical component in young people’s lives, helping them make the decisions that ultimately lead to improved opportunities and connections, which has an impact in real life.

The Friends Mentoring program was established in 1992 to help students in Fayette County schools who are struggling academically or socially, and in danger of failing their grade or not graduating from school. Mentoring is a proven strategy for helping at-risk students who often believe that no one cares whether they stay in school or not.

The Friends Mentoring program is an opportunity for volunteers to make a positive impact on the life of a child. Mentors meet weekly one-on-one with their students in a school based setting. The program focuses on assisting children in developing relationship skills, building positive life skills, and improving academic proficiencies. No special skills are needed; a consistent commitment of time is the only requirement.

Program manager Jane Gough has witnessed the success of mentoring, having had many prior years of experience working with foster children.

“My work with them convinced me that the ones who grew into contributing citizens were the ones who had a healthy long-term relationship with some adult. That is why I am so passionate about mentoring, I know it works,” says Gough.

Anyone interested in learning more about mentoring, and the Friends Mentoring Program, can contact Gough at 770-460-3990, ext. 255.