one-to-one MENTORING

What is a Mentor?

"Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction."

John C. Crosby, executive director
The Uncommon Individual Foundation

The word "mentor" comes from The Odyssey, by Homer. In this classic Greek epic, Telemachus, the son of Odysseus, receives teaching, coaching, and counseling from an older, more experienced person named Mentor. This defines the traditional view of mentoring as we think of it today: that is, an older person providing knowledge and advice on a one-to-one basis to a younger, less experienced person, the mentee.

First, a mentor is not a parent! Mentors are adults that agree to meet with their student at least once a month during high school and through the first year of college. Their purpose is to encourage, listen, and support a young person in achieving their goal of obtaining a college degree.

In 1995 Private/Public Ventures did an impact study of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Making a Difference, which proved that high-quality mentoring can have tangible and significant effects on the lives of youth. Researchers examined the lives of 1,000 10- to 16-year-olds who applied to Big Brothers Big Sisters for mentors. Half of these young people were matched with a mentor, while the rest stayed on the waiting list. Eighteen months later, the differences between the two groups were surprising. Weekly meetings with a mentor for (on average) a year had reduced first time drug use by almost half and first-time alcohol use by a third; had cut school absenteeism by half, improved parental and peer relationships, and gave the youth confidence in doing their school work.

We currently have over 85 students enrolled in some form of post-secondary education, most of our students said that the mentoring relationship was a very important aspect of the program. Mentors help students stay on track, expand their horizons, and offer support and encouragement. The Futures program combines academic enrichment and mentoring to create a powerful tool to help end the cycle of poverty in our community.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mentoring

I am proud to be part of the first high school graduating class of Chester County Futures. I am very appreciative of all my teachers that nominated me into this program. This program has helped me in many ways: The first way is that I had passing grades but not acceptable grades for college. My mentor has helped me to realize that nothing is more important than an education. I am now an honor roll student. Even though I have made some mistakes, you learn from your mistakes, and Chester County Futures has helped me realize that I can still go on to college.

Student, Coatesville Class of 2000