About the Program

Mentors Make a Difference

The WLPS Youth Mentoring Program is a school-based program that matches a supportive caring adult with a WLPS student. Mentors serve as a positive adult role model providing moral support and encouragement while assisting their mentee (i.e. matched student) to succeed in school by developing a one-on-one relationship.

The objective of the mentor program is to improve academic performance, attendance, behavior, attitude toward school, and most importantly, self-esteem and motivation. The long-term goal is to prevent disengagement from school.

The WLPS Youth Mentoring Program asks mentors to commit to supporting, guiding, and being a friend to a WLPS student for a period of at least one school year. By becoming part of WLPS's network of adults and community members who care about the youth, the mentor can help their mentee develop and reach positive academic, career, and personal goals.

Mentors and mentees engage in a variety of activities including, but not limited to, playing games, working on academic assignments, setting goals, or simply talking, listening, and sharing experiences. The mentor works with school staff to provide extra support, encouragement and attention to help the student achieve his or her potential.

Mentors are volunteers who meet with their mentee only on school grounds during school hours.

2020-2021 School Year

During the 2020-2021 school year, we will be matching mentors with 7th at Windsor Locks Middle School and 9th graders at Windsor Locks High School. If you are interested in applying to become a volunteer mentor, please complete the application.

During this first year of our Youth Mentoring Program, we kindly ask that parents/guardians of WLPS students not apply to be mentors.

Our timeline for the 2020-2021 program is as follows:

1. Complete (before August 15, 2020):

   • WLPS Youth Mentoring Application

   • Criminal background check

   • DCF check

2. Train (September 2020):

   • Attend a training (90 minutes)

3. Match (October 2020):

   • Schools match mentors with mentees

4. Mentor (Late October/Early November 2020 through May 2021)