Our mentoring program began in October 2002, and serves low-income 
at-risk young people in Pasadena from the age of 9 through adulthood. We are a community-based program (meaning that the mentors go to the students) that is focused on building dignity and mutual learning from the moment the mentoring relationship begins. We are not based at any one site, but meet students where they live, work, play, and study.
Mentoring activities can include going to a ball game, walking the dog, working on homework together, or volunteering in the community. Our students choose to have a mentor, and apply to be a part of the program. The key to a good match is the mentor coach. Every mentor has a coach that will train and introduce them to the student and their family, and will ensure everyone has similar expectations. The coach provides regular support, training and guidance, as well as help mentors and students set goals together. Our program provides a holistic mentoring that tracks and focuses on seven key areas that set the framework we use to build healthy relationships between the mentor and student:
- Encourage asset formation as defined by The Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets
- Develop a prayer network
- Make regular contact with the parent of the mentee
- Develop a heart for service to others
- Support the student’s education
- Spend quality time together
- Connect student to a faith community
There are seven primary goals for Mentoring:
- To provide background-checked, trained, qualified mentors to students who have a mentor coach supporting the relationship.
- To improve academic performance among the students by encouraging school attendance, monitoring grade improvement, and aid graduates with enrollment in post-high school education.
- To encourage and provide opportunities for students to volunteer in their community.
- To provide appropriate intervention when necessary that will empower our students’ parents to become more involved and effective in training their son or daughter to become a productive member of society.
- To mentor students throughout their college experience, and recruit them to return to their community as mentors and leaders.
- In accomplishing the six previous goals, we will bring about youth violence prevention.
- To walk with students as they navigate their relationship God
A Mentor is someone who…
- Is a listening ear
- encourages and gives positive feedback
- helps the student learn how to connect to resources
- is an advocate
- helps the student understand and navigate the unwritten rules of the middle class
- challenges negative behavior
- models honesty and openness about who they are, and helps their student do the same
- encourages healthy conflict resolution skills
- helps the student wrestle with who God is
A Mentor is not…
- Parent
- Professional counselor
- Peer
- Caretaker/enabler
Mentoring is about
- Consistency not frequency
- Listening, not dictating
- Flexibility
Mentoring is relevant, meaningful and do-able
- Relevant…everyone needs someone to serve as a guide and model in order to live life successfully
- Meaningful…relationships have a life-long impact particularly when a life is young.
- Do-able…foundationally, human beings are social beings and interact with others on a daily basis. Relating to others as in mentoring is a natural skill.
Additional ways to think about mentoring and how you can do it
- Mentoring is flexible enough to fit into anyone’s life.
- Mentoring is time-sharing, not time-consuming. You can include in activities you already do.
- You have something of value to give to young people.
- You can prepare a young person for adulthood.
Mentoring an at-risk child brings value to your life
- You will be a good, trusting friend
- You will enrich your own life, expand your horizons, and contribute to your personal development.
“Affirming words…are like light switches. Speak a word of affirmation at the right moment in a child’s life and it’s like lighting up a whole roomful of possibilities.”
-Gary Smalley and John Trent from Leaving the Lights On.
Over the years we have developed a specialized track for teen mothers, Teen MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers). This program was first started to provide a faith-based, supportive, non-judgmental environment where teen moms in the neighborhood can come together for support and encouragement. Teen Moms began in September 2005, and currently serves over 30 young moms.
The teen birth rate in the state of California is currently 40%. Teen moms are less likely to finish high school and more likely to live in poverty than their non-childbearing peers. Also, 25% of teen moms give birth a second time within 24 months of their first child’s birth. (The Dibble Fund for Marriage Education, 2005)
Our goals for the mothers in Teen Moms are the following:
- Completion of high school diploma and college or vocational program
- Training in improved parenting skills & tools
- Education in healthy relationships
- Exploration of their relationship with God
- Knowledge of community resources
- Decrease in repeat pregnancies
Weekly meetings that include many elements achieve these goals. Bible studies and parenting workshops are held once a month. The moms participate in creative projects such as memory books for their children, journals, and holiday crafts. Each weekly meeting includes rewarding healthy behaviors such as well-child pediatrician visits, reading to their child regularly, and furthering their own education. Members of Teen Moms have access to a lending library with parenting resources and books for the children.
We hold quarterly workshops on topics such as child safety, healthy relationships, and anger management. The group also has regular celebrations of annual holidays and milestones. Each mother is matched with a mentor, who provides additional support as necessary. Mentors often attend the weekly meetings in addition to meeting with their teen mother once a month.
The best way to understand what mentoring is like is through the eyes of one of our mentors.
For me, mentoring is a great opportunity to contribute to the life of a kid, and get a better idea of what today’s world looks like through the eyes of a 12-year-old girl.
When I was first matched, I went with two mentor coaches to Priscila’s house one evening so I could meet Priscila and her Mom. Priscila was sick that day. Although she didn’t say a whole lot, her sweetness and curiosity about her new mentor were evident! I truly didn’t know how God would use me in her life. But as we were leaving, I felt such peace and just thought to myself “I don’t know the details, but that is definitely my kid.”
As we got to know each other, I delighted in finding common ground. We love relaxing, and our favorite thing is listening to music, lighting a fragrant candle and doing some free-style drawing and painting together. We explore craft stores looking for fresh new paint colors and inspiration for our next creative project. One of the things I love about Priscila is that she has no fear in expressing her artistic ability. She will boldly draw anything or anyone. And she’s good! I’m so delighted to observe her natural talent. She inspires my artistic side as well.
Our mentoring relationship is a blessing beyond words, and the responsibility has me praying for more of Christ’s character in me, and less for my own “stuff.” Priscila is growing in so many ways. To me what stands out the most is how she has become proactive in reaching out for help with her academics, and asking me to become involved with her accountability and overall success. This is confirmation of the trust that continues to grow between us.
Become a Mentor!
Get started with our online application.
