Mentors wanted to help kids ‘Aim Higher’

| 20/08/2014

(CNS): Organised by the Cayman Islands branch of the International Women's Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation and local consultants Shirlaws Cayman, ‘Aim Higher’ is looking for 40 adult volunteers for this forthcoming school year to mentor teens attending John Gray High School. Mentors are needed to work at the school one lunch time per week one on one with students aged 15 and 16 to help them realize their full potential starting on 16 September. Mentors will coach support the young people through their school life including exam preparations and developing study skills techniques.

IWIRC is a not for profit professional women's organisation which has a mandate to get involved in the community and education is a particular focus. “We are proud to support the JGHS Aim Higher initiative through the mentoring program by organising and financially underwriting the training and follow up throughout the year,” said Laura Hatfield from the Cayman branch.

Shirlaws Cayman are also a partner in the programme as they will be conducting the training for both mentors and students to introduce them to the nature of the coaching relationship and develop the skills and qualities that will enable them to make a difference. Aside from committing to the weekly lunchtime sessions volunteers will need to commit to attending the four free training sessions. Students will receive their training during the first week of term before the mentoring starts.

Training for mentors is scheduled over two weekends in August and September starting on Friday 29 August 5.30pm – 8.30 pm then Saturday 30 August 9am – 1pm and the same times the following week of the 5&6 September. It will take place at the Cayman Islands Law School on the 3rd floor of the former Cayman National Bank building in George Town, opposite the main Court House between the clock tower and the post office. Mentors will also need a police clearance certificate.

Anyone who is interested in the programme and can to commit to the lunchtime mentoring sessions and the training is asked to contact LHatfield@solomonharris.com or KWilliams@solomonharris.com
 

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  1. Anonymous says:

    Two weekends and not full days!  Really…that is too much time spent in furthering our knowledge of young people, finding out hoe to handle difficult behaviour, learn about what is expected, where the boundaries are, challenging and moving your people on etc?  I think not?  I for one, and i have teenagers will find the training useful in helping me understand better my role.  My private sector experience does not necessarily help me to fully understand my role. But maybe then i shoukd not mentor because i still have a load to learn.

  2. Anonymous says:

    Good students will be willing to give up their lunch time to be mentored. If this is targeting "at-risk" students, they will not be as interested in giving up their lunch time. Lunch may be their favorite period of the day. All this needs to be considered when starting up a mentoring program.

  3. Anonymous says:

    What about the Clifton Hunter High students?

  4. Anonymous says:

    This sounds like a great opportunity/program and I will be curious to see how many in the community will take part. The only problem, I see, is that the training is taking up 7 hours of the mentors weekend – 2 weeks in a row which may be a turn off. Most training sessions can be done in less time than that and the cori check is also quite quick.

    If you do not get many mentors to sign up, you may wish to look at cutting down the training session.

    • Anonymous says:

      So you think that someone who cannot commit to the training because it takes too much time, will be able to commot to a you g person for a year?  Surely are children deserve mentors that are actually well trained for the job?

      • Anonymous says:

        Yes, you can definently be committed to mentoring children without spending 2 weekends in training for the mentoring program. Streamline the training! I have been in a mentoring program for over 2 decades and have never taken 2 weekends worth of training (especially 2 weekends right in a row). You will find that alot of the mentors will already have college educations and be from the workforce. They will bring their experience to the table.

    • Anonymous says:

      I was thinking about it and then saw that I have to go 2 weekends in a row which includes Saturdays 9-1 pm. My young children have activities on Saturdays, and that will be hard for me to get someone to handle that. Then I have to go and get a police clearance …

      I'll volunteer or Meals on Wheels again instead. Good luck!