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Mentors

Youth Motivator Program

The Youth Motivator Program is designed to reduce the potential of a student dropping out of school by giving them support, promoting the values of education, increasing their self-esteem and performance, and teaching students to set and reach goals by modifying and improving their social skills; attitudes; attendance; and behavior.

What is a Youth Motivator?

  • A Youth Motivator is a special type of school volunteer.
  • An individual committed to helping a student, identified as at risk, get his/her life academically, socially, and mentally back together.
  • Someone committed to expanding the time and energy necessary to help a student stay on the right track.
  • Someone who wants to make a difference in the life of a young person by just being a friend.

How to Become a Mentor

1. Mentor's Responsibilities

The Youth Motivator meets one-to-one with an elementary, middle, or high school student approximately 30 minutes a week for a minimum of 18 weeks during school.

  • The volunteer helps with homework and encourages attendance.
  • As a role model, the volunteer listens to the student, helps with problem-solving, and demonstrates the values of punctuality and dependability.
  • Develops a friendly, trusting relationship.
  • CARES, LISTENS, ENCOURAGES, AND GIVES.

2. Training

  • All applicants must complete an Application to Volunteer. Be sure to check the Youth Motivator-Mentor box. Volunteers, including mentors, are not placed prior to the completion of the registration and clearance process.
  • All Youth Motivators/Mentors must attend an orientation/training session.
  • Orientation curriculum includes:
    • Overview of Volusia County Schools Mentoring Program
    • Mentoring Responsibilities and Conduct
    • Confidentiality Issues/'At Risk' Students
    • Accessing Resources
    • School Contact Information
    • Matching and Placement
    • Liability and Incident Reporting

3.  MENTOR TRAINING SCHEDULE FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS

Training will resume next school year.  
Please email afoley@volusia.k12.fl.us to schedule training.

4. Qualifications Needed

  • A warm and understanding personality
  • Patience
  • Sense of humor
  • Respect for others
  • Ability to be flexible
  • Dependable and Reliable
  • Sincerity
  • Good listener
  • Able to accept a young person as they are
  • Understand and know that each student is different and unique
  • Desire to motivate a young person and help them succeed in school

Current Mentors