Heroes and Cool Kids Mentoring Program

This Program is only open to Juniors and Seniors each September.

Application information - Students MUST be nominated by their coaches, club advisors, teachers, guidance counselors or administrators

WHO WE ARE

Heroes& Cool Kids, which began operating during the 1998-99 school year, is a not-for-profit organization based in New Jersey. The program utilizes the services of current and former professional athletes whose personal life experiences enable them to train high school student leaders.

WHAT WE DO

The athletes train high school students to mentor middle school students on important life skills, including sportsmanship, conflict resolution and positive lifestyle choices highlighting drug, alcohol and tobacco prevention.

WHEN WE DO IT

The program runs each school year from November until May.

WHERE WE DO IT

Heroes& Cool Kids is currently implemented in nine counties around New Jersey. The athletes and high school students make three mentoring visits to the middle schools each year.

To prepare, the high school students must complete three training conferences before mentoring the middle school students. These conferences are held at a site off campus together with other schools during an all day session.

WHY WE DO IT

Mission Statement

"The goal of Heroes & Cool Kids is to promote pro-social behavior in students and to create a caring and disciplined school climate"

This program is successful because the elementary school students look up to their high school mentors as role models, making a positive impact on both.