What is IMP? Illini Mentor Program is a co-curricular service-learning organization committed to mentoring future leaders today. As a registered student organization of the University of Illinois, IMP is dedicated to fostering meaningful and consistent mentoring relationships between University students and children in the local community with the goal of supporting learning, growth, skill-building, and interracial and cultural understanding. Through
involvement in IMP, college students become more knowledgeable about
the community and have opportunities to explore their strengths and
build leadership skills as they take an active role in promoting
positive youth development. IMP’s
mission includes engaging students in the process of building bridges
between the University of Illinois and the surrounding community, which
can lead to productive and mutually beneficial dialogue,
capacity-building, and a commitment to civic responsibility. IMP's Background IMP developed out of a youth mentoring program that was the centerpiece of an academic service-learning course taught in the Department of Psychology in the Spring of 2004. Through student leadership and relationship-building in the community, IMP was created as a co-curricular service-learning organization that could provide structure and support to sustain an effective mentoring program. IMP initiated its pilot program at the Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club in the Spring of 2005 and operated programs at the Boys and Girls Club and Stratton Elementary School from 2005-2009. Prairie Elementary School became IMP's new partner in the Fall of 2009. Current Program Today, IMP facilitates an active site-based mentoring program during the fall/spring semesters in collaboration with Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club and Prairie Elementary School. The program at the Boys & Girls Club operates on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and is open to children ages 9-12. The after school programs at Prairie Elementary School run on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3:15-5:15 p.m. and are open to children in 3rd-5th grades.
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