Mentor Training
​
What is Kidz Connected?
Kidz Connected is a program that allows adult mentors to build a relationship with a student at a local school; helping them with academics, relationships, and activities while becoming loving and caring friends. Partnering with churches provides mentors while partnering with schools provides the students. All mentors are trained to respect the separation of church and state and are therefore highly sought after in many public schools.
What do the mentors do?
A Kidz Connected mentor volunteers an hour a week with their student during the school year. Each mentor will only have one student at a time, allowing them to focus their full attention on that student. Although Kidz Connected mentors are not tutors, during this hour, mentors and students may work on academic development, emotional development, relational development, or any other need the student may have.
What do the Churches do?
Churches are the bedrock of Kidz Connected as they supply mentors for the students. Once a mentor has volunteered, it can take up to three months for Kidz Connected to prepare, screen, and train before actual mentoring begins. That’s how serious we are about mentoring. The church’s responsibility in this process is to provide exposure for Kidz Connected to the church members and help ensure we secure quality mentors.
What do the schools do?
Kidz Connected partners with local schools to be able to mentor students recommended by the staff. Also, the school will be responsible for providing a safe location for mentor/student weekly mentoring sessions.
Who are the children?
Students who participate in the Kidz Connected program are referred by teachers, school staff, or parents who believe the support of a mentor would be beneficial for the student. The sooner a child can be identified, the more effective the mentoring process will be over the years. Students can begin participating as early as kindergarten and can graduate from the program when they’re ready.