4-H Mission Statement
4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential, working
and learning in partnership with caring adults.
4-H Mentoring is for:
- Young people ... 4-H mentoring provides opportunities for at-risk youth to participate in a fun, exciting program while developing increased interpersonal competence, self-esteem, and lasting relationships
- Parents & family members ... 4-H mentoring creates safe, healthy, enriching environments that strengthen family bonds
- Volunteers/Mentors ... 4-H mentoring offers an opportunity to build a lasting relationship that can change the lives of youth.
Families are required to:
- Attend at least 50% of club meetings throughout the year
- Attend at least 50% of Family Night Out (FNO) activities throughout the year
- Meet with their mentee each week for at least one hour for a year
- Plan fun activities with their mentee to do each week
- If possible, attend M&Ms with their mentee. This can be supplementary to weekly visits or can count as the weekly visitIf mentors cannot meet one week, calling, emails, and/or letters can count as the weekly meeting. There is also a mentor-on-the-move packet if mentors leave for the summer or a semester.
What if I want to be a mentor but can't meet every single week?
Phone calls, emails, and letters can count as a weekly contact instead of
doing an activity with the youth. Although this is allowed, we do not strongly
encourage it.
What if I leave for the summer?
Your site coordinator can provide a mentor-on-the-move packet which includes stationary, stamps, and a calling card.
What if I leave for the summer?
Your site coordinator can provide a mentor-on-the-move packet which includes stationary, stamps, and a calling card.
Family Night Outs, also known as FNO, are designed to
strengthen family bonds. One FNO is held each month which usually includes a
dinner and an activity for the entire family.
What are M&Ms?
M&Ms, which are mentor and mentee activities, are provided once a month by 4-H mentoring. These activities are designed to allow youth and mentors to come together in an environment that encourages expanding relationships, learning new skills, having fun, and serving others. If a youth's mentor cannot attend the activity, there are many occasions in which one parent may accompany the youth.
As a mentor, am I required to attend the FNOs and M&Ms?
No, you are not required to attend. However, these are
fun free activities for you to do with your youth so we hope that you will
attend with your mentee.
Why is there a year requirement to be in the program?
The children that are in this program often come from lower-income homes, single-parent families, or have other extenuating circumstances that need special attention. These children are also very prone to become quickly attached to their mentors as an adult they can confide in and trust. If the mentor leaves prematurely or leaves without creating a strong bond, the mentee can begin to believe that it is his/her fault. It is difficult on the youth once the mentor leaves to have high self confidence when a strong relationship has not been built. Not only does it effect the youth, but it also effects and reflects poorly on our program. Our program is only successful when our mentors are dedicated and willing stay with their youth and be a great role model to them. We understand that this is a lot of pressure, which is why we provide fun and unique activities and other resources for our mentors as a type of reward. Our program is based off of research that youth have improved grades with this program.
What is the Mentoring Club?
Mentoring club runs for 10 weeks every Fall, Winter/ Spring, and Summer. Various activities will be planned to increase knowledge, leadership, and to strengthen friendships. For dates, locations, and times, please contact your site coordinator.
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