The MATCH Program, a collaborative effort between Communities In Schools of Douglas County and the Douglas County School System, is seeking caring adults to become mentors for students. This school-based program connects students across all grade levels—elementary, middle, and high school—with dedicated mentors who commit just one hour per week.
Why Mentoring Matters
Mentors play a crucial role in a student's educational journey, providing support, guidance, and a consistent positive presence. The article emphasizes that a mentor can be a significant role model, much like someone we might have looked up to in our childhoods. Through the MATCH Program, you can directly impact a child's life, contribute positively to the community, and help students feel supported in their academic and personal growth.
How to Become a MATCH Mentor
The process to become a mentor is straightforward:
Apply and Background Check: Apply and complete a background check to ensure student safety.
Training: Attend a brief training session that covers school policies, effective mentoring techniques, and tutoring ideas.
School Selection & Orientation: Once cleared, you can choose the school where you'd like to mentor and attend an orientation with the school counselor.
Matching: The school will match you with a student, and once parental permission is obtained, you can begin building your mentoring relationship.
What Mentors Do?
Mentors spend one hour per week with their student mentees at school. Activities are age-appropriate and can include:
Reading
Tutoring
Engaging in educational activities
Discussing career paths
Researching colleges
The program aims to support students in increasing school attendance, improving grades, and boosting test scores. Beyond academic benefits, mentoring provides invaluable emotional support, letting students know there's someone special coming to see them each week. Many current mentors report gaining as much from the relationship as their mentees do.
Interested in becoming a mentor? Mentor training is held monthly at various locations.
Mentor training is offered once a month at various locations.
For more information, please email Mitzi.teal@dcssga.org or call 770.651.2039.
The MATCH mentoring program is a collaboration between Communities In Schools of Douglas County and the Douglas County School System.
Apply Now: Mentor Application - New Mentors