SWAGÊÓƵ

The SWAGÊÓƵ is a proud member of our community and enjoys the chance to become more involved with the people and programs of the area. For SWAGÊÓƵ students interested in working with local children and youth, the College Community Mentoring Program (CCMP) provides an opportunity to mentor at in-school and after-school programs. The involvement of CCMP mentors aligns with the University’s mission of enhancing the quality of lives of students and the community it serves.

SWAGÊÓƵ is a member of the York County Mentoring Partnership and the Maine Mentoring Partnership. Through these organizations, we keep abreast of current best practices in mentoring.

To become a mentor, SWAGÊÓƵ students must complete several steps.

1. Application Process
   • Interested SWAGÊÓƵ students complete an and interview with the CCMP coordinator. Two reference checks are conducted, a background check may also be required.
2. Training Process
   • All student-mentors attend a two-hour mentor training session before beginning their assignments. Students learn mentoring roles, CCMP guidelines and valuable mentoring skills. Topics also include mandated reporting and child development. Midway through each term, mentors participate in a follow-up training and reflection session.
3. Why Students Mentor at the CCMP sites
   • SWAGÊÓƵ students mentor for a number of reasons. Becoming a mentor provides a chance to connect with children, give back to the community and make a difference. Mentors may simply enjoy working with children and find a CCMP site that works with their class schedule. The CCMP mentoring experience may be used to fulfill a Citizenship 400 Seminar service-learning requirement. It may also provide an opportunity for career exploration or professional experience.

Mentors have experienced great things when mentoring. Some common feelings include:

• Giving back to the community
• Making a difference
• Providing support to children that need it most
• Forming strong connections with mentees
• Exploring possible career paths
• Deepening academic experience via service-learning

• Leadership: Become a member of the CCMP Advisory Board.
• Training: Receive training useful for mentoring and beyond.
• Relationships: Meet other mentors, children, teachers, SWAGÊÓƵ professional staff, and leaders of the community.

• Commit one to two hours a week to mentee(s) and mentoring site for one academic year.
• Attend a mandatory two-hour training before mentoring occurs.
• Attend periodic reflection sessions.
• Provide a positive role model for a child.
• Assist mentees with academic work.
• Join mentees in extracurricular activities.
• Give mentee and CCMP coordinator advance notice when missing a session.
• Do not see mentees outside of mentoring sites.

1. Students who have already been in 1:1 mentoring relationships for one or more semesters may continue to mentor and include it as part of their Citizenship requirement.
2. Students in Fall Citizenship sections may enter into 1:1 mentoring relationships, with the understanding that they must continue to mentor through the Spring semester.
3. Students in Spring Citizenship sections may not enter into new 1:1 mentoring relationships.
4. All Citizenship students and sections are welcome to participate in group mentoring programs.