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Chippewa Area Mentor Program (C.A.M.P.)
Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
Introduction
Resources
Starting CAMP
Challenges and Strategy
Top Ten Hints
Training and Screening Practices
A School/Community Partnership
Partnerships between Schools and Businesses
I am pleased to share my perspective on "mentoring" in
the public schools. It has been a vital part of the ministry of Our
Saviour's Lutheran Church.
About ten years ago there was a strong feeling expressed by many that we needed
to look at where we could serve beyond the walls of the church.
We felt that there was a natural connection between our location and the schools.
We were also aware of the many children who were failing or falling through the
cracks of the system. When we inquired (in 1987) about how we could be of service
in the lives of the children who needed help we were warmly welcomed by a school
administrator who had shared our dream of "mentoring" children.
Over the years we have successfully overcome the concerns inherent in the idea
of the church being involved in a program in the public school. Our focus in
serving is to be present to the children as our Lord was present to the people
he ministered to. We have kept the "mentoring" as a servant project
and have avoided any problems relating to the separation of church and state.
"Mentoring children" is a very natural calling for people of the church.
Jesus in his ministry interceded for the children. He wanted them to be close
to him and part of the community when he taught.
The most important function of the "mentor" is simply to be present
to the child. As a pastor, I need to encourage and affirm potential mentors.
We have the "Chippewa Area Mentor Program" as part of the work of the
Board of Social Ministry. We have included "mentoring" as one of the
items on our annual time and talent survey.
It has been encouraging to see other congregations join in the recruiting of "mentors".
When we join together in service, the impact of caring people in the lives of
children is impressive.
Pastor Roger R. Skatrud
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Resources
Link to Chippewa Area Mentor Program: http://cfsd.chipfalls.k12.wi.us/dw/mentor.asp
A hard copy C.A.M.P. manual is also available. There is also a copy
of the manual
on file at the Northwest
Synod of Wisconsin Resource Center, Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
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Starting CAMP
Church Board Meeting
" Where are we needed?"
"… the Middle School?"
MS Principal suggests "Mentor Program" for "kids
falling through
cracks"
Gather community/school representatives
Discuss: "How could church & school work together to address specified
needs?"
Create Task Force
Study, discuss, analyze, explore
Agree on Vision and Mission
VISION: "All students are capable of experiencing
success in school and
in their personal lives"
MISSION: "Struggling students will receive ongoing one-on-one support
from selected and trained caring adults in the community"
Task force developed plans for pilot program (6 months)
Recruited volunteers; invited 36 selected church members to informational
meeting
Six members agreed to be trained as mentors and be matched one-on-one
Ongoing monitoring of matches, supporting mentors
Ongoing evaluation and "Tweaking"
Formal ADVISORY COMMITTEE appointed
ByLaws developed
This process took 9 months (June 1988 to February 1989) and yielded
6 matches
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Challenges we had to address: |
Strategy |
| Church/state issue |
Pastor Skatrud, letter |
| What's a mentor? |
Patience, explaining always! |
| Confidentiality concerns |
Education/quality mentors |
| "opening" schools to community |
Paradigm shift in community |
| response of teachers, staff |
Top notch mentors |
| Need for paid staff |
BERNARD! |
| Recruiting volunteers |
A "Treasure Hunt!"; Give them the support they need |
| Reliable source of Funding |
United Way, School District |
| School board skepticism |
Presentations: school needs |
| Who guides the program? |
Elected Advisory Board |
| Liability concerns |
Adequate staff, training, Screening, monitoring, etc. |
| Turf issues |
Community ownership
" It doesn't matter who gets the credit…"
Collaboration in CF
Community pride
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| "Stigma" concerns: kids, parents |
Avoid labels, Talk about Assets, not deficits |
| Parent involvement |
Permission, dinners |
| Scheduling match meetings |
Flexibility |
| Space for matches to meet |
Designated spaces/rooms |
| Mentor vacations/job demands |
Email; sent notes, cards |
| Parking (at High School) |
Still a problem! |
| Welcoming atmosphere |
Secretaries, all staff! |
| Mentor identification |
Buttons at Reception Area |
| How to celebrate |
Changes with program growth |
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C.A.M.P.
CHIPPEWA AREA MENTOR PROGRAM
" Top Ten Hints"
(if you want a mentor program to last)
| Number 10 |
Start Small |
| Number 9 |
Find enthusiastic partners in community and school, add more
as you go |
| Number 8 |
Hire (provide) paid staff to coordinate |
| Number 7 |
Recruit respected community people |
| Number 6 |
Customize program to fit needs of YOUR town, students, community
members |
| Number 5 |
The Younger the Better! Start with K-5 |
| Number 4 |
Target the "kids on the edge," not the ones who have
already "slipped off" |
| Number 3 |
Get organized; elect an Advisory Board |
| Number 2 |
Evaluate, listen, listen, change, adjust |
| Number 1 |
Don’t EXPECT miracles…but do celebrate those that
happen! |
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TRAINING & SCREENING PRACTICES
Training/Orientation
- Awareness of program through media/friends
- Initial conversation
or phone call with Coordinator
- Receive packet: Letter, Brochures,
Application, PR article
- Handbook sent upon completion of screening
- Two Training sessions
per semester held at Mentor Room
- Other Training sessions conducted
on site if requested
Ongoing Training and Support
- Receive monthly newsletters
- Receive school parent newsletters
- Access to school counselors,
teachers, principal as needed
- Phone checks from coordinator/volunteer
caller
- Mentor Meetings at schools
- Personal contacts at church by Congregational
Contacts
- Personal contacts/access to Coordinator, as needed
- Year-end surveys
Screening Practices
- Recruit within churches
- Recruit through Mentor Program, current
mentor
- Require completion of Application Form
- Check 3 character references
- Get permission to do police/criminal
check if deemed necessary
- Make list of mentors public
- Provide supervised setting for meeting
student
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CHIPPEWA AREA MENTOR PROGRAM
A School/Community Partnership
Role/Function of School:
- Provide funds for salaries for program staff
- Act as fiscal agent
- Provide office space, materials
- Provide computer, telephone,
etc.
- Provide counselor support
- Provide space for pairs to meet weekly
- Provide mentor support
at schools
- Provide students
Role/Function of Community:
Role of the Religious Community:
- Act as advocate for program
- Support through Clergy Council
- Provide most mentors
- Serve on Advisory Committee
- Help recruit trustworthy, dependable
mentors
- Provide philosophical framework
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PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN SCHOOLS AND BUSINESS Business
Can…
- Help recruit mentors
- Allow employee leave time (Example: 4 hours
per month)
- Encourage employees to tutor in specific areas
- Adopt-a-classroom
or school
- Provide workplace training for students
- Allow "career
shadowing"
- Provide clerical support for the program
- Encourage employees
to serve on committees
- Sponsor a short term summer program
- Loan an executive, or provide
planning expertise
- Provide incentives/discounts for mentor matches
- Lobby legislators
to support business-school programs
- Funds for special events, recognition
field trips, etc.
- Fund program community coordination
FUNDING
COMMUNITY
Program promotion
Coordination of school/community
Recruiting volunteers
Screening of volunteers
Training of volunteers
Evaluation
Recognition of volunteers, supporters
Liaison for school/community
School District
Counselor time
Rooms, physical set-up
Matching student/mentors
Screening of volunteers
Training of volunteers
Evaluation
Recognition: Volunteers, students, parents & business
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