Boys & Girls Club of McAllen Mentoring Program
Boys & Girls Club of McAllen & UTPA’s Community Service Connection
The Community Service Connection, in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of McAllen, is providing an opportunity to all UTPA students interested in mentoring youth. In response to a higher teenage crime tied to an increase in drop out rates, the BGCM is in the first stages of implementing a 3 year progressive mentoring program for their your (ages 10-14). Each year they hope to increase the number of mentors and the number of youth targeted, beginning with 500 youth. They have created partnerships with different Valley institutions and individuals, one being UTPA’s Community Service Connection. Together, we are searching for the first group of 40 UTPA students interested in youth development and outreach to become much needed role models to the at-risk youth of McAllen. Students interested in becoming youth mentors are encouraged to fill out an application and return it to the CSC. Once you have filled out an application, please return it to the CSC and schedule a time to interview.
Mentors must meet the following requirements:
· Be enrolled at UTPA
· Be in good academic standing
· Fill out a background check provided by BGCM
· Attend training session(s) (to be held at UTPA)
· Maintain mentor log
· Keep regular contact with each youth club member at least once a week through email for a total of approximately 15-20 minutes per week
· Meet with each youth club member at least once a month for at least one hour at the BGCM
Mentors will be assigned 1-3 youth club members each semester. We hope to have mentors commit to a full school year in order to mentor and for relationships with the club members. Since this is a progressive program, meaning that the youth targeted and the needed mentors will increase each year, we hope that mentors who have participated in this program for the first year will return the following years.
If you are interested in applying for this program, please contact the Community Service Connection.
