Feature/General
Mentoring: Every Child is a Success Story Waiting to Happen
Contributing Writers Trudy Bradley and Kirk Smith
January/February 2006

"I was introduced to my mentee outside her classroom door - and my life was changed! The Mentor Program is so revered in her school that there was an immediate bond between us. She introduced me to everyone we met on a tour of the school grounds by proudly stating 'This is my mentor.' Just by being there for her, I was accepted unconditionally." Nancy Vandergrift, mentor

In 1989, the Public Education Committee of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce began studying drop out prevention in the Clarke County School District. Committee members wondered how they could make a positive impact on the long term success of young people in our schools.

From these discussions, the Clarke County Mentor Program was born. Launched in 1991, the program pairs trained community volunteers with area school children and is designed to reach students who show potential, but may need a little extra attention and guidance.

Since it was piloted with only 30 mentors, the program has enjoyed tremendous growth and astonishing success. There are now around 700 mentors throughout every school in the Clarke County School District.

Anyone who follows a mentor through the halls of an area elementary school will quickly see that what could have easily been a stigma (how many kids do you know who want to hang out with adults?) has become a privilege. And according to reports from all sides - teachers, administrators, mentors, parents and students - it's a win win situation.

"AI hear so many positive stories of the change this program has made in kids of all ages.
I hear it from parents, from teachers and from the mentors themselves," says Trudy Bradley, director of the Clarke County Mentor Program. "These are people working hard to make a positive difference and give these young people the opportunity to reach their dreams."

The Mentor Program has gained not only tremendous respect in the Athens area but is also seen as a model for other programs throughout the state. It is an example of what a grass roots group of concerned citizens can do to ease the road to academic and personal success for public school students. It is also proof of how much difference people can make when they have a common goal that they work towards with enthusiasm.

"The desire to be actively involved, the dedication to the individual achievement of their student, and the dependability of the mentors speaks eloquently for our community," continues Trudy. "It is our vision as an organization that this program will grow each year setting an example for other communities to follow and inspiring young people in our community to excel."

The Mentor Program is not a tutorial program. It is designed to pair caring adults with students on a one to one basis to act as friends, listeners, role models, advocates, etc. Though many of the mentors may soon begin helping their student with class work and homework that is not the initial priority of the program.

With the success of the program over the last 14 years, you might ask how many mentors are still needed in the school system. "We would love to see one for every kid," says Trudy. "Of course that is not realistic, but we do have a waiting list of children who want mentors. Recruiting mentors has always been our focus. The need is there and the difference one person can make is immeasurable."

Kirk Smith, a member of the program's steering committee and longtime mentor, concurs. "I've been a mentor to the same young man since he was a fourth grader. He is now 24 years old working here in Athens and I have seen him grow and mature into a good natured, good hearted young man. Though we are very different people, we almost instantly became good friends and remain so to this day. We have helped each other become better people, we have shared a lot of terrific experiences and I have seen him grow up and become a polite, thoughtful, reliable person. I take a lot of pride in what he has become and as long as he would like for me to be his mentor, I will continue to do so. What better way to influence a young person than by committing yourself to them on a one-on-one basis. And what better way to take part in the community in a way that truly works."

To find out more about becoming a mentor in the Clarke County School district, call (706) 549-6800 and ask for Trudy Bradley or Terry Baez.