Chippewa Area Mentor Program (C.A.M.P.)
Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin

	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

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.

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

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

•	"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

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 
					And

Number 1		Don’t EXPECT miracles…but do 
				celebrate those that happen!

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 mentors
•	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

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:
•	Provide funds/support for program activities
o	United Way
o	Clubs and organizations
o	Individuals
o	Businesses

•	Provide mentors
•	Provide the "heart" and sense of community spirit
•	Provide Advisory Committee members

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

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