Mentoring Partnerships

The heart of YES is our traditional program, Mentoring Partnerships.  The mentoring concept is central to our organization’s philosophy of improved physical, emotional, and academic development.  The primary goals of the mentoring program are academic improvement, cultural enrichment, career development, and life skills enhancement.  In collaboration with teens and their families, we identify and set realistic goals for their academic and personal development.  This holistic approach to service closes the gap that sometimes exists between schools, families, and the community organizations that serve them. 

Teens who demonstrate significant leadership abilities and a strong academic background are chosen to undergo our peer mentor certification program.  To qualify for our program, teens must have at least a 3.0 GPA, be active in at least one extracurricular activity, and exhibit the following qualities:  maturity, respectability, self-confidence, leadership potential, and an overall positive outlook on their future.  Each teen who meets these qualifications must be recommended by an adult who can attest to their high potential as a role model for our younger students.

The certification process consists of a three-day training conference.  Twenty hours of training are provided by licensed professionals in the human services in the areas of effective communication skills, anger management and conflict resolution, establishing positive relationships, decision-making processes, and leadership development.  After their training, each teen must take a written assessment to gauge the knowledge they have received as well as a formal interview with our staff to assess their maturity, self-confidence, and sensitivity to self, others, and important issues.  Once certified as peer mentors, each teen is paired with one of our younger students to begin the mentoring process.

As a mentor, these teens act as positive role models in the lives of our younger students.  These teen mentors serve as tutors, counselors, mediators, and best friends when called on by their mentees.  The mentor-mentee relationship is reinforced by at least one telephone contact per week, one face-to-face contact per month, and additional support as needed.  Mentors are encouraged to become an integral part of their mentees’ lives.  Through exposure to cultural and educational activities, monthly fun engagements, and one-on-one time with each other, a bond is forged between mentor and mentee which cannot be broken.

We recognize the mentoring work and overall achievements of all of our teens during our annual awards and recognition banquet held in May.  Teens receive plaques and certificates for outstanding teen mentoring; academic, athletic, and personal achievements; community service; and overall participation with YES.  Graduating seniors receive college scholarships and a graduation dinner.