Mentors Make the Difference

Can you remember when you were young and how it felt to have someone who believed in you, guided you, or encouraged you? These people were your mentors. Many young people go through life without the added support of a mentor and are more likely to drop out of high school. Nationwide research shows that if a young person is mentored they are 52% less likely to skip school, 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs, and 27% less likely to begin drinking alcohol.

Through the Take Stock in Children Scholarship Program, students are paired with a caring adult mentor who meets with them regularly at school. Relationships are formed and a pivotal transformation in each person’s life begins to take place. Many mentors have commented that they reap the benefits of mentoring, just like the student.

If you are interested in donating a small portion of your time to a student in the Take Stock in Children program, please complete the Volunteer Mentor Application or contact Betty Saffioti, Program Coordinator at 772-462-7252 or via email bsaffiot@irsc.edu.

All mentors are background checked before being assigned a student.