Adult mentors needed for youth program
Sunshine Coast
Christine Wood Staff Writer
KidStart, a mentoring program for troubled youth, is coming to the Coast.
The program, run by the Pacific Legal Education Assocation (PLEA) is volunteer-based and matches volunteers with children and youth who are in need of a positive adult role models.
"Our goal with KidStart is to select, train and support, caring adult role models who will spend time, one-to-one, mentoring a troubled child or youth," said Jennifer Lawrence of PLEA.
The program is looking for volunteer adult mentors on the Coast to start the program here, said Lawrence.
"We expect them to spend approximately three hours a week with the young person and make a commitment of at least one year. The most effective mentors are honest, flexible, creative and patient," Lawrence said.
She said the main thing differentiating the KidStart program from other mentoring programs is that it targets children who are involved or may become involved in criminal activities.
"Volunteer mentors plan one-to-one activities in the community that will provide young people with opportunities to experience success and achievement. Our primary goal is to develop positive relationships with youth that will be both supportive and guided by their own interests," Lawrence said.
She noted all volunteer mentors need to understand that children referred to the KidStart program may be experiencing problems at home, at school or in the community.
"They may have had a few opportunities to develop recreational interests or hobbies, and we encourage volunteers to explore a variety of possibilities in these areas and to look for chances for kids to succeed," Lawrence said.
Once enough mentors are found on the Coast, they will be trained and PLEA will accept referrals for kids under the age of 12 from parents, teachers, child welfare, RCMP, social workers, probation officers and other community organizations.
Teens are generally referred only by probation officers. Lawrence said.
For more information visit www.plea.bc.ca, email Lawrence at jlawrence@plea.bc.ca, or phone 1-604-871-0450.
