Mentoring

CCA's Juvenile Mentoring Program (JuMP) recruits, trains, matches and supports adults to mentor "at-risk" and court-involved youth. Mentors spend at least one hour a week with their youth focusing on education, vocational/career planning and basic life skills. Through ongoing training mentors are prepared to cope with the concerns and needs of young people like health and sex education, pregnancy prevention, and alternatives to violence, abuse and neglect. Mentors and youth develop an informal, one-to-one relationship of mutual caring and commitment. This relationship helps youth to build life skills and enhance their self-esteem.

Mentors receive a small stipend in return for their service and participate in regular meetings to share experiences and receive additional training and support. Sometimes mentors, youth and CCA staff work on community service projects together. JuMP is an effort to help break down the barriers between adults and youth.

What are Mentors?

Mentors are supporters and positive role models.
Mentors are friends you can count on.
You can share problems with them and look for solutions together.
Mentors come from all walks of life.
Mentors are special because they care about youth.

What is a Mentor expected to give?

Mentors may be individuals, couples or small groups, matched with individual youth or small groups of young people.
Mentors are expected to meet with students for a minimum of one hour per week, for one year.
Mentors must attend six hours of training.
Mentors are expected to attend regular training and support meetings.
Mentors are expected to report monthly.

What can a Mentor expect to receive?

Mentors will be given a stipend for expenses.
Mentors will be given training in a wide variety of issues, including adolescent development, community resources, and how to be an effective tutor.
Mentors will have an opportunity to have fun with a new friend.

To become a JuMP mentor contact the Center for Community Alternatives. Trainings are held at 115 East Jefferson Street, Suite 300, Syracuse, New York 13202. For further information call 315-422-5638 or email cca@communityalternatives.org.