Information Night, Tuesday, Sept. 9 for Reach + Rise Mentoring Program in Waterville [AUDIO]

Tonight (Sept. 9) there is an information session planned at 5:30 pm at the Alfond Youth Center, 126 North St., Waterville for the Reach & Rise Mentoring Program. Mentors are needed. Do you have some extra time?

What is a mentor? Well, mentors are volunteers, at least 23 years old, who wish to make a positive impact on young people and to give back to their community. Mentors commit to spending 1-3 hours each week for a year with their mentee.

Background screenings, finger print checks and face-to-face meetings are held for mentors. Also, 15 hours of paraprofessional counseling training, over the course of roughly 5 weeks for the mentors, will be required before beginning the matching process.

The program serves young people, ages 6-17, in Greater Waterville experiencing challenges such as low self-esteem, poor academic progress, peer difficulties, family conflict, and other challenges. Youth in the program come from a variety of ethnic, socioeconomic and family backgrounds.

Denise Gianini, Reach & Rise Mentoring Program Director on the Moose Morning Show