Maliseet Boys and Girls Club to continue mentoring program

    We have young people waiting for a mentor. What are you waiting for?
    The Maliseet Boys and Girls Club is pleased to announce it has received funding to continue its mentoring program in the amount of $20,000. Through funding from the U.S. Department of Justice, the National Congress of American Indians is providing grants to 15 Native American Boys and Girls Club organizations and will run through Aug. 31, 2009. The Maliseet Boys and Girls Club is one of the 15 sites to be selected to continue implementation of this exciting program. The club’s mentoring program coordinator, David Lindsay has just returned from Scottsdale, Az., where staff participated in a national training to enhance and strengthen the club’s mentoring program. This is the club’s second year of participating in the program.
    The mentoring program involves recruiting volunteer mentors who are matched with a youth mentee. Volunteer mentors agree to meet with their mentee at the club site for at least four hours a month for one year. Besides offering friendship and a listening ear, mentors and mentees will engage in a variety of fun and meaningful activities together and in groups. With the support of the grant funds, a mentor program coordinator oversees the initiative.
    It has been demonstrated that a trusting relationship with a caring adult can have a life-changing effect on a young person. Research data indicates that mentoring programs have reduced first-time drug use by almost 50 percent and first-time alcohol use by 33 percent. In addition, mentoring coordinators have reported that mentored youth displayed greater confidence in their schoolwork, improved academic performance, and demonstrated positive changes in social skills. Both mentees and mentors are excited about the program and eagerly anticipate their next meeting.
    If you are interested in sharing your time and knowledge and making a difference in the life of a child, please contact Lindsay, Mentoring Program Coordinator at 207-532-2240 at extension 12 or stop by the club to learn how you can become a volunteer mentor.