Mentoring
Mentoring is an extremely effective way to positively affect the City's youth. According to the National Mentoring Partnership, teens who are mentored are:
- 73% more likely to raise their goals as a result of the relationship
- 59% more likely to get better grades
- 46% less likely to get involved with drugs
Mentoring Helps Students
These figures are supported by statistics from Big Brothers Big Sisters, which goes on to report that mentored students are:
- 27% less likely to begin using alcohol
- 52% less likely to skip school
- 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
- 56% report improved relationships with their peers
- 64% developed higher levels of self-confidence
- 33% were less likely to hit someone
- Better able to get along with their family members
Becoming a Mentor
Getting Started
First step: Become a registered volunteer with Pinellas County Schools by submitting the complete volunteer registration form to your nearest school. The PCS Volunteer Registration form can be found online at pcsb.org.
Second step: View the schedule and reserve your seat here. For additional questions, please contact Rich Engwall, in the office of St. Pete’s Promise, City of St. Pete, at 727-893-7087 or email: rich.engwall@pinellaseducation.org. For additional dates and locations in Pinellas County, contact Michelle Roberge by phone: 727-570-5050 or by email: robergem@pcsb.org.
Mentor training workshops are held at the Water Resources Building, 1650 3rd Avenue North, in Classrooms A or B, on a monthly basis. RSVP Required.
Other Endorsed Programs
If you can't become a mentor, opportunities for involvement are ample and varied, both in terms of time commitment and time of day. Programs supported by the St. Pete's Promise Program education initiative include:
- 5000 Role Models of Excellence
- Girlfriends
- Big Brothers Big Sisters
- Junior Achievement