MENTORING

Help improve the future of your community — become a mentor.

Mentoring can reduce teen pregnancy, drug use, gang violence and school drop-out rates. The Center organizes the Marin Mentoring Coalition, which recruits, supports and trains mentors for agencies serving at-risk youth in the community.
Contact our Mentoring Coordinator by email at volunteer@cvnl.org >

Participating agencies include:

Marin YMCA Building Futures
Marin YMCA
1500 Los Gamos Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 446-2125
www.ymcasf.org/marin

This program trains adult volunteers to provide twelve months of mentoring/counseling services to at-risk youth aged 6-17. Mentors help youth develop tools for coping with low self-esteem and problems with school or peers, improve their decision-making skills, and form trusting relationships with adults. Building Futures is a community-based mentoring program. Outings are determined by the mentor, mentee and mentee's parent. A free membership to the YMCA is provided to the mentor and mentee.

Marin County School Volunteers
Marin County Office of Education
111 Las Gallinas Avenue
San Rafael, CA 94903
(415) 499-5896
www.mcsv.org

Volunteers assist teachers in the classroom, help children develop their aptitude for and enjoyment of reading and math, and reinforce the skills and knowledge provided by their teachers.

Marin Education Fund
Access Programs Associate
Marin Education Fund
781 Lincoln Ave, Suite 101
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 459-4240
www.marineduacationfund.org

This program is aimed at high school students who face substantial barriers to pursuing higher education. Adult mentors provide one-on-one assistance and support through the college and financial-aid application process during the senior year of high school and the transition to college.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Marin & Napa County
1618 Second St.
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 453-3800
www.bbbsmarin-napa.org

The goal of a Big Brother or Big Sister is to establish a supportive relationship and, ideally, a long-term friendship by spending a few hours each week with their mentee for at least a year: playing games, seeing movies, watching ball games or just hanging out. The program is intended to increase the child's self-esteem and aid their development into mature, responsible men and women. A Big Brother or Big Sister must be at least 18 years of age and resident of Marin or Napa.

MIYO - Marin Interfaith Youth Outreach
1115 3rd St. Suite # 4
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 453-8645
www.miyoteens.org

MIYO's B.E.S.T. (Basic Business Education Service Training) program provides youth aged 15-19 with guidance and advice from a professional in the young person's current field of interest. The program offers business and management skills, career exploration, job search resources, placement assistance, on-the-job mentor support, life skills education and academic assistance.

Marin Casa (Court Appointed Special Advocates)
Marin Advocates for Children
30 North San Pedro Road #275
San Rafael CA 94903
(415) 507-9016
www.marinadvocates.org

CASAs are advocates for children in the Juvenile Court System. A two-year commitment is required, during which the advocate spends time with the child, becomes familiar with his/her family circumstances, communicates with all people on the case and reports to the court at periodic hearings. The CASA represents the child's best interest in court and is often called the "eyes and ears" of the judge.

Leaders in Future Environments (LIFE)
A Program of Centerforce
2955 Kerner Blvd, 2nd Floor
San Rafael, CA. 94901
(415) 456-9980
www.centerforce.org

The Leaders In Future Environments (LIFE) Project strengthens and promotes leadership among Bay Area Youth ages 11-18 that have been impacted by parental incarceration. The program serves Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo counties. For more information, please contact Sarah McKinnon, LIFE Project Coordinator, at 415-456-9980 x. 117 or email us at LIFEProject@centerforce.org. The LIFE Project program year includes mentor training, weekly one-on-one mentoring and exciting group events throughout the Bay Area, including kayaking, a trip to Monterey Bay Aquarium and a community service project.

Marin Literacy Program
Dena Higgins, Development & Outreach
Tel: 415-458-5042
dhiggins@marinliteracy.org
www.marinliteracy.org

Marin Literacy Program offers one-to-one tutoring by trained volunteers and other services to help break the cycle of low-literacy in the homes of an estimated 24,000 Marin County adults. To learn more about MLP’s range of literacy projects and volunteer tutoring opportunities, please join us at one of our upcoming program orientations on Tuesday, April 1, Wednesday, May 7, or Monday, June 2, at the San Rafael Public Library Community Room, 1100 E Street. The 90-minute presentations begin at 7:00 p.m. To register, please call 415-485-3318.Tutor trainings are offered each quarter to individuals who have previously attended MLP orientations. The next two-day training session will take place on consecutive Saturdays, April 5 and 12, 2008; those interested in participating are strongly urged to attend program orientation on April 1.