Mentor program
Why should you mentor?
Mentors are role models and provide support and guidance along with a positive perspective on life to a young person. Mentors gain satisfaction from making a difference in the life of someone else and in helping to prepare the workforce for the 2 st century.
Some signs of success mentoring has on students' lives include:
- improved self esteem,
- improved attendance,
- improved eye contact,
- increased communication,
- smiling,
- happier at school,
- improved appearance,
- decreased hostility,
- reduced detentions, and
- increased attitude.
How do you become a mentor?
The Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center at UIS has relationships with many area school districts and has been providing UIS mentors to area schools for several years. Most recently, in the 2007-08 school year, we worked closely with Jefferson Middle School in Springfield School District 186. To become a mentor, please contact our office at volunteer@uis.edu or 206-8448. We will schedule a time to meet with you to discuss your work and/or school schedule to find a time that best fits your needs to mentor. You will also be required to undergo a background check screening completed by the local school district.
Sponsor a UIS student mentor!
The Volunteer& Civic Engagement Center will use monies donated during the faculty/staff campaign drive to fund a mentor program partnership currently in place with Jefferson Middle School in Springfield, IL. Monies donated will help fund a visit to UIS for the middle school students mentored through our Officeís program. Approximately 10 UIS students volunteer each week in our mentor program at Jefferson Middle School.
How many students will visit UIS?
Our office will coordinate details with Jefferson Middle School to determine who many students they would like to send (between 10-15 at-risk students). These middle school students will participate in campus life by attending UIS events, eating lunch in the PAC, hearing from instructors, and meeting with faculty and staff. Most importantly, they will see the UIS mentor they have been paired with throughout the school year in a college setting and will be exposed to role models.
Why should I help?
There are many children in the local community who could be exposed to life at UIS through campus visits and our Office's mentoring program if financial resources are available.
Questions?
Contact Kelly Thompson, Director of the Volunteer & Civic Engagement Center, at 206-8448 or at kthom03s@uis.edu
