Mentors Opening Doors Enriching Lives (MODEL)

M.O.D.E.L.

Mentors Opening Doors Enriching Lives

　

Do you want to make a difference in the life of a child?

　

If so, we would like to tell you about a fulfilling volunteer opportunity offered by Children's Home Society of Florida:
　
The CHS MODEL mentoring program is a one-to-one community-based mentoring program for children who have a parent/caregiver incarcerated in a federal or state prison. Each youth is matched with a mentor who can provide guidance and support to help each child develop to their fullest potential.

Spend regular and consistent time per month with a child going to the library, a park, movies, arts and crafts, museums, bowling, or other fun and inspiring activities! Each youth is matched with a trained adult mentor with the goal of building trust and communication that will help the child perform better in school, have stronger family relationships, and be more equipped to avoid negative activities or peer relationships.

Mentors need to be 21 years of age or older, complete an application, interview and background screening, attend an orientation session, and commit to spending regular and consistent time per month with a mentee for one year. Mentors should possess: 

• Ability to communicate with youth openly and non-judgmentally. 
• Ability to listen and establish a relationship based on respect.
• Practical problem-solving skills and to suggest options and alternatives.

For YOUTH, The MODEL Mentoring program attempts to break the cycle of incarceration by matching a child with an adult that can provide friendship, unconditional support, new experiences, and subsequently more choices for the future.
Youth ages 4-18, who reside in Osceola, Seminole, or Orange Counties, and have at least one parent or a parental figure incarcerated in a state or Federal prison at the time of the referral, are eligible for this program. To clarify also, if the incarcerated parent is serving time for a state or Federal crime, but is being housed in a local jail, then that child still qualifies.

If you are interested in becoming a mentor or have a child that may benefit, please contact Children’s Home Society of Florida's MODEL Mentoring Program at 321.397.3000 or you may also check out our website at http://www.chsfl.org/mentoring.php


Sincerely,

The MODEL Mentoring Team!