Mark Wood Mentorship Program
The presence of a caring adult offering support, advice, friendship, reinforcement, and constructive examples is a powerful tool for helping young people fulfill their potential. The goal of the Mark Wood Mentoring Program is to intervene early in the lives of at-risk youth. The main purpose is unconditional time, attention, and support to assist in children achieving their potential and discovering their strengths. Youth with a mentoring relationship have better attendance, a better chance of going on to higher education, and better attitudes toward school. Participating in a mentoring program promotes positive social attitudes and relationships. It has been shown that mentoring appears to help prevent substance abuse, reduce some negative behaviors, and promote better child/parent communication.
The Mark Wood Mentorship Program was started at Lincoln Elementary ten years ago with additional sites added at Lindbergh Elementary six years ago and Dr. S. G. Knight Elementary five years ago.
The Mark Wood Mentorship Program is formatted as follows: an adult mentor (background check required) comes into the school one time per week for a 30 minute mentor session using a mentor room that is equipped with many different activities; board games, art activities, books, craft projects, legos, playhouse, sport items, puzzles, snacks, etc. Adults and students are “matched” based on interests with parent permission granted for the student to participate. Adult mentors commit for the school year with the option to continue with the same student or switch at the end of each school year.
If interested in obtaining more information about this wonderful program, please contact Anita Larsen, School Social Worker and Mark Wood Mentorship Program Coordinator at alarsen@lfalls.k12.mn.us or phone 320-616-6235.