One-on-One Mentoring
Is the Heart of CBO
CBO mentoring is about supporting a scholar
through a 6-plus year relationship built on trust.
CBO mentors work with young people from underserved environments, which can affect their sense of identity and goals. These young people usually have few role models for success. This affects the student’s ability to picture his/her life or future in a positive way. A large part of a coach’s role will be to motivate students to create a vision for themselves so they can take charge of their lives and develop their potential.
A Mentor Will:
- Meet (face-to-face) with their CBO scholar at least 12 times a year whilehe/she is in high school. Some of these meetings will be CBO sponsored events (museums, sporting events, etc.)
- Communicate regularly (via phone or e-mail) with their scholar
- Communicate with the scholar’s parents several times a year
- Provide assistance in order for the scholar to meet his/her educational goals
- Oversee the college application process and help in determining the best college fit
- Take their scholar and family to college orientation to facilitate a smooth transition
- Be an advocate for the student while they are at college and in finding summer jobs
- Coach the scholar on interviewing and finding a productive career
Benefits Mentors Offer Scholars:
- Help focus on the future
- Help achieve potential by encouraging them to see the options available to them
- Increase self-esteem, self-actualization, assertiveness, confidence, creativity, pride, and self-advocacy
- Encourage emotional and social growth
- Encourage healthy risk-taking
- Stress value of a lifelong commitment to education and learning
Examples of activities CBO does with Scholars:
- Visit museums
- Attend a sports events, movies, concerts, plays
- Exchange e-mails
- Invite scholar to dinner at their home
- Get involved in a community action projects
- Show scholar how to write resumes, thank you notes
