Introduction
Compeer has teamed up with Cedar Crest schools in Lebanon to bring an exciting new program to its suite of services — youth mentoring! Youth mentoring takes the traditional Compeer model of a one-to-one friendship and adapts it for a youth protege and high school mentor. This program is school-based only.
What is youth mentoring?
Compeer’s youth mentoring program provides students with a caring mentor who can help them as they grow. The mentors spend around 4 hours a month with them, engaging in social activities and conversation with the youth.
Youth proteges can enter the program in 2 ways:
- Referrals can be made from therapists, counselors, school counselors, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, or other similar professionals.
- The protege’s guardian will contact Compeer directly to apply, and we will connect the family to a psychologist for a brief interview and evaluation.
Future steps include gathering information from the youth protege’s school & any supportive agencies working with the protege and an interview with the protege & consenting guardian.
In order to qualify for the youth mentoring program, potential applicants must live in Lebanon County; be between the ages of 6-18; want a mentor; and have behavioral, emotional, or mental health concerns.
Who are the volunteers?
All of the mentors for the youth program will be high school students in Lebanon. They will be open and willing to engage with their young protege, have valuable life experience that they can provide to their protege, have a history of positive behavior, be in good academic standing, and be giving at least a 2-year commitment to the program.
Youth mentors will be screened and participate in training to be able to properly mentor their proteges. Mentors can help improve self-confidence, mental wellness, time management, and finding new hobbies & interests.
Who is involved?
Compeer and the high school’s counseling services are involved in every step of the process.
The mentor, protege, and their guardians, and Compeer and the high school’s counseling services will all have an active involvement throughout the entire mentoring process.
Engaging in open and honest conversations and communication is key to the success of the program; and Compeer & the high school’s counseling will be on hand for any additional support needed throughout the process.
