This program places nine full-time AmeriCorps volunteers in each of three Routt County middle schools and the two Steamboat elementary schools. Each volunteer is screened, hired, trained, and supervised to provide mentoring and tutoring to eight “at-risk target” students. Participating students have been identified by school teachers, counselors, and administrairs. The qualifying criteria is similar to One-to-One’s. Mentors spend a minimum of one hour a week with each target student and they assist with academics, social-emotional issues, and making good decisions. They also plan and implement weekly in-school and after-school programs and service learning opportunities for target students and all other students.
Since the program’s inception in 2000, over 2000 youth have benefited. In one calendar year, School-Based Mentors spend over 10,200 hours with their students. Therefore, since 2000, mentors have devoted over 50,400 hours of their time improving the lives of Routt County youth! Expected results for School-Based Mentoring include: increased or maintained levels of self-esteem, school-bonding/commitment and grades/attendance and decreased delinquency. These results also assist PRC in achieving our vision.
Measurable Outcomes: Partners Works!
2009-2010 aggregate pre and post survey results showed that Junior Partners 11 years old and younger (the sample size for youth 12 years and older was too small for analysis) experienced increased:
- Self-Esteem
- Commitment to School
- Bonding to Adults
- Decision-Making Skills
- Individual Delinquency
- Acceptance of Interpersonal Violence
- Perceived Risk of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs (“ATOD”) Use
- Attitudes Against ATOD Use
