Mentoring Program
Mentoring Program in Collaboration with PAL
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Each day at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield professional staff members form meaningful relationships with youth members. These relationships help children feel connected and consistently reinforce that someone believes they have the ability to succeed.
Cassie Weatherwax, 16, commented on the relationships she has formed with staff members throughout her involvement at the Club.
"In the Club environment, it is really easy to feel comfortable around the adult staff because they are welcoming. All of the staff, both part time and full time, equally pays attention to all of the members of the Club. Everyone understands each other, and we all have amazing relationships with the staff. I am grateful for that."
The Club is taking the power of positive mentoring to an even greater level through the implementation of a formal mentoring program.
With funding from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention, the National Association of Police Athletic/Activities Leagues, Inc. is providing mentoring program awards to 135 PAL Chapters. The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield is pleased to have been selected as one of the 135 grant recipients for this exciting program. Club staff participated in a two-day national training for the development and implementation of the PAL's new Mentoring Program in April.
The Mentoring Program involves recruiting volunteer Mentors who will be matched with a youth Mentee. Volunteer Mentors agree to meet with their Mentee at the Club for at least one hour per week for one year. Besides offering friendship and a listening ear, Mentors and Mentees will engage in a variety of fun and meaningful activities individually and in groups. With the support of the award funds, the Club has hired Liz Dion as Mentor Program Coordinator who will oversee the initiative.
"I am excited to begin my new role as Mentor Program Coordinator with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield," Liz stated. "As the Mentor Program Coordinator I will have the opportunity to help Mentors and Mentees engage in fun and meaningful actives. I'm looking forward to helping these relationships develop and witnessing the benefits each person takes away due to their experiences with the program."
It has been demonstrated that a trusting relationship with a caring adult can have a life-changing effect on a young person. Research data indicates that mentoring programs have reduced first-time drug use by almost 50% and first-time alcohol use by 33%. In addition, mentored youth displayed greater confidence in their schoolwork and improved their academic performance.
Liz explained, "We're looking for people to attend who are interested in hearing more about the program. We describe the perfect mentor as a caring individual who is there for the youth, to care about them and help them through advocacy, support and patience. It only takes one hour a week to help improve a child's life."
If you are interested in sharing your time and your knowledge and making a difference in the life of a child, please contact Liz Dion at 413.562.2301
