WHAT IS IN-SCHOOL MENTORING?

It’s not about homework!  It's about helping a child in many ways ....simply by having fun and sharing a little of your time. In fact...it only takes an hour a week during the school year. What a great way to make a difference in a childs life with very little change to your own schedule.

This is a program that takes place at the child’s school, during the school year.  The child is allowed to leave class for an hour to spend time with a Mentor doing fun activity.

The staff at Big Brothers - Big Sisters will train you and provide you with ideas for outings....complete with a hand book that offers ideas for activities every week of the school year. Games, crafts, books, sports, scrapbooking......the ideas are endless.

It’s a small commitment that makes a big difference. Become a mentor to a child at their school. You’ll help build a child’s self-esteem and confidence while having a lot of fun. Research indicates that students who are mentored stay in school longer, get better grades and are more likely to go on to post secondary schools. And it only takes one hour a week during the school year.

One child. One hour a week. One big reason to go back to school.

WHO PARTICIPATES IN THE PROGRAM?

• Elementary & middle school aged kids
• Caring and responsible volunteers usually 18 years of age and over
• Community schools who support the ISM program
• Companies supporting employee volunteerism with flexible work schedules and/or program sponsorship

WHAT SHARING A LITTLE MAGIC CAN DO

Children who spend time with a mentor gain confidence, acquire new skills and competencies, and develop an enhanced capacity to care for others. Mentors experience a sense of discovery and enjoyment as they see the world of possibility open up through a child’s eye.

WHAT DOES A MENTOR DO?

Besides playing with plasticine or painting during the workday, you’ll be a role model to one student. Through friendship, guidance and sharing, you’ll help build a child’s self-esteem.

A MENTOR IS...

• A great listener
• Truly caring about people
• Believing in others’ capabilities Patient and kind
• Sensitive to the needs and circumstances of others
• Humourous and outgoing
• Committed to relationships
• Open to different points of view

IN-SCHOOL MENTORING MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE

• 90% of mentors saw a positive change in the child they were mentoring^*
• 88% of students showed improved literacy skills^*
• 64% had developed higher levels of self-esteem Mentors^*
• 85% of ISM volunteers feel they have a positive influence on the community^*
• 89% felt better about themselves^*
• 66% are prouder of the company they work for^*

CORPORATE BENEFITS

• Improved corporate public image
• Higher employees retention
• Enhanced customer relations and loyalty
• Increased brand recognition
• Increased ability to attract and retain investors
• Improved employee job performance
• Reduced absenteeism

BECOME A CORPORATE SPONSOR

Encourage your employees to participate in the In-School Mentoring (ISM) program! Promote the program in your office. Develop flexible work schedules. Talk to us about profiling your company as a corporate sponsor.

LEARN MORE

Would you like to know more about ISM? Call Big Brothers - Big Sisters to discuss possibilities with you or to arrange to have a speaker come to your next staff meeting/corporate event.

Call 902-895-4562

E-mail us to find out more

^* 2005 study, Employer Supported Volunteerism
Commissioned by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada and conducted by Northstar Research Partners

APPLY NOW!