Mentoring

Since September 2014 Aim for Success has been delivering Mentorship Programs within the local elementary and junior high schools in Drayton Valley. These programs empower and educate youth to support their peers and create positive cultures. within their own schools. Since 2014 our peer mentorship program has grown substantially and in 2015 our mentorship program expanded and now covers 4 core areas.

1. Youth Action Teams - Aim for Success has Youth Action Teams (YAT) in all the Wild Rose School Division's elementary and junior high schools within Drayton Valley. These teams of between 10-30 volunteer students come together on a weekly basis to help to make positive cultural changes and become ambassadors of support within their schools. Last year we had over 50 students take part in the YAT teams and each of the YAT teams focus on three core areas:

• Mental Health Promotion - Through on-going training, support and mentorship by the Aim for Success team, the YAT teams promote positive mental health and wellness to their student body and play a lead role arranging presentations and activities during mental health week

• Anti-Bullying - Each Youth action team works diligently to help to promote and build safe and caring schools. YAT teams do this by presentations, programs and play a strong and active role during anti-bullying week and pink shirt day

• Mentorship - Each youth action team member is provided with mentoring training and support and throughout the year will play a lead role in being mentors both within their school and by supporting students from other local schools. Youth action team members annually play a key role in supporting grade 6 students as they transition to the junior high, through one on one and group mentorship

2. In School Peer Mentoring - Mentee's are referred to the In School Peer Mentoring Program by school staff, families or through self referral. They are then matched up with a supportive and caring in school mentor who has been provided with a basic training session and are then given on-going support. The mentor meets at least once a week with their mentee within their school to offer support, guidance and build a safe and caring place for their mentee to connect. A referral form can be completed in the above drop down mentoring tab.

3. Inter School Mentoring - One of the major ways in which we support the transitions to junior and senior high is through the use of inter school mentoring. Like our in school mentoring model, students typically in grade 4 or 8 are referred to the program and are matched with a supportive mentor from a higher grade. Through weekly meetings in school, students are given peer support, guidance and a safe mentor to connect with

4. Adult to Student Mentoring - Through careful screening, guardian permission, in school support and training the Aim for Success team has developed a successful adult to student mentoring model. Local adults are screened (inc police and welfare checks) trained, provided with support before being matched with a student. The mentor and mentee meet either on a weekly or bi-monthly basis and the meetings ONLY occur within school. These meeting are geared to help enable students to have a supportive adult mentor to help provide social and emotional support