Editor’s note: This commentary is by Alex Rose, a junior at UVM who is majoring in public communication.
[I]f you have any doubt about mentoring’s positive impacts on communities, take a look at South Burlington’s well-seasoned mentoring program for reassurance. SB Mentoring has been a leading example for the state in long-term, school-based mentoring pairs. Five years ago, the district developed its mentoring program with just 20 mentor and mentee matches. This year, they’re proud to grow to 59 matches. These matches are comprised of an adult over the age of 18 and a “young leader” enrolled in the school district. Mentoring allows “young people to find their ‘sparks,’ passions and interests,” says Susie Merrick, director of the mentoring program in all five South Burlington schools.
The program facilitates those sparks by creating a space and time within the school week where pairs can meet for an hour and do crafts, play games, run around, and simply hang out. The goals of having a consistent mentor in a student’s life are to build on the core four areas of one’s social and emotional learning, listening skills, communication, and relationship development.
Recent findings show that when a child has a consistent mentor, they are better accepted by their peers, have better grades in school, and are less likely to begin using illegal drugs and alcohol.
For the past four years SB Mentoring has conducted surveys in hopes of gaining more knowledge about how mentoring affects both the young leaders and the community. In the most recent survey, it was reported that 97.1 percent of classroom teachers agreed SB Mentoring enhanced both social and emotional learning for students. One teacher reported that “mentoring makes a difference,” whilst another stated, “The mentor is amazing with my student. He does things that he wouldn’t have exposure to otherwise.”
One in three youth in Vermont will grow up without having a formal or natural mentor in their lives showing that SB Mentoring fills a critical need. (Mobius Mentors, 2014) Recent findings show that when a child has a consistent mentor, they are better accepted by their peers, have better grades in school, and are less likely to begin using illegal drugs and alcohol (Mobius Mentoring, 2014). It’s proven that mentoring makes positive changes and more importantly, works.
The South Burlington School District is looking for mentors of all ages and walks of life. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a mentor or donating to the sustainment of the program, contact Susie Merrick at smerrick@sbschools.net.
Another way to be a part of this important work: Come to the annual SB Mentoring Winter Gala on Jan. 14, which will feature keynote speaker Roddy O’Neil Cleary, a dinner and a silent auction — all supporting SB Mentoring. For more information, visit www.sbschools.net.
