Opportunities From: Genesee and Shiawassee Serves

 

Success Mentoring Program at Brownell STEM Academy:

There is a distinct need for adult mentors to spend time with Brownell K-2 students.  Our students need adults as caring role models to spend time, eat lunch, read with them, or work on math problems, and play games. The Brownell Community Education office is looking for volunteer mentors over the age of 18 who are available anytime between 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.  Note:  School lunches are served starting at 11 a.m and ending at 12:30 p.m.  Each grade’s lunch period is 30 minutes.  There will also be opportunities available during Community Education’s programming starting at 3:30/4 p.m. Monday - Friday.  We are also always looking for volunteers to assist with Community Education events and Brownell school events throughout the year. We would like our volunteer mentors to be available for their mentees at least 1-2 times a week. We’re looking for volunteers involved in all walks of life in Flint:  active seniors,  community members in their own faith communities, businesses, social service and non-profit organizations, and academic institutions. Volunteers must be at least 18 years. and successfully pass through the Flint Public School Background Check process by submitting an ICHAT form. Success mentoring is important:  Combat against chronic absenteeism.  Chronic absenteeism of students may result in poor academic achievement, increased school truancy, and dropping out of school altogether. * (Weinstein, Lukas, Director of Regional Initiatives, The Children’s Aid Society, National Center for  Community Schools, childrensaidssociety.org, March 17, 2017, presentation, Flint, MI.) It is also important to look at the various levels of Absenteeism: Satisfactory Attendance:  Missing less than 5% of school days At-risk:  Missing between 5-10% of school days Chronic Absence:  MIssing 10% or more school days. Training of mentors will be provided by Brownell Community Education staff:  focusing on the needs of specific students and their respective academic and behavioral challenges.  Each mentor will be matched with 1 student. It is also important to be aware of the following premise behind the Flint Community Education program:

      Flint Community Schools - Community Education Initiative Goals:
                Crim Fitness Foundation, Partnership Information Form)

Increased Attendance: Students arrive to school on time, stay all day, and are prepared to learn. Improved 3rd Grade Reading levels: Students are reading at their grade level and meeting their college and career readiness benchmarks. Increased Graduation Rates: Students are successfully graduating from 12th-grade on-time and are prepared to attend a 2-4 year college, complete an apprenticeship, or perform a year of national service. School becomes a resource to the Community: The School provides opportunities for programming and services such as basic needs, health, technology, etc for community members to use.

 Please contact cbrentzel@crimamericorps.org for further information.