Bay-Waveland Mentoring Program

Supporting the Future Generations of Hancock County

Mission Statement:

To create an environment in which mentors participate with parents, teachers, and students help youth reach their full potential by modeling and encouraging positive life choices.

Vision:

To see Hancock County restored through the development of our youth through the fostering of healthy relationships.

Join us on October 5th, at 6pm in the Bay St. Louis Public Library Meeting room for an information and orientation meeting. Applications will be available there, or you may download them directly from this website. Please note the applications are DUE BY OCTOBER 16TH.

How do I apply to be a mentor?

Mentors must fill out and submit an application, interest survey, information release form, and be willing to submit to a background and criminal history check. Following the application process, candidates will participate in a personal interview.

How would I be assigned to my student?

Mentors who are accepted into the program will be matched with a participating student, based upon of the interest surveys, applications, and teacher/parent recommendations. Only when the potential match has been anonymously discussed and accepted by both the mentor and mentee, will mentors and mentees be given their match's specific name.

What will being a mentor require?

• Time—the time commitment of 1 hour per week, not including travel time, is foundational. Mentors should pick times at which they are consistently available.
• Energy—meeting with students will require both mental and emotional energy of the mentor. Mentors should be prepared to invest in a child's life, and communicate with the student's teachers on a regular basis.
• Commitment—mentors will be expected to treat their meetings with students as seriously as a business meeting. Mentors will be expected to arrange other schedules around their meeting times, and absences should only occur under extenuating circumstances. If committing for a full year sounds like too much, the mentoring program is no for you. Consistency is key to developing a meaningful relationship.
• Training and Communication—mentors will be required to attend mandatory mentor training 1-2 times throughout the year. Mentors will also be expected to communicate regularly both with the mentee's teacher, and with the program staff of the BWSD Mentoring Program. This communication will help us to develop the most effective, consistent program which truly benefits both the students, teachers, parents, and mentors themselves.