How do I get my child involved in Student Mentor Partners?

First, check the Criteria for Acceptance to make sure that your child qualifies to apply for the program. If your child meets the criteria, you must attend a general information meeting to learn more about the program and to receive an application. Applications are not available online and are not distributed via mail.

When are the general information meetings held?

Student Mentor Partners usually hosts two general information meetings a year. Meetings are typically held in November and February, prior to the upcoming school year.

Where do you get students for the program?

Student Mentor Partners disseminates recruitment information to over 200 grade and middle schools in the Detroit area. We also work closely with our partnering high schools in identifying potential candidates for the program. However, word of mouth seems to be our most successful recruitment strategy.

When are students selected for the program?

New students are selected for the program in June prior to the upcoming school year. For example, new students entering school in August/September 2007, were selected in June 2007.

How will I know if my income qualifies for the program requirements?

Student Mentor Partners does not have an exact income cut-off limit. However, the range of moderately low to low-income is established by referencing the Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) yearly low-income guidelines, which are determined by family size.

If I am not low income, can I still apply for the program?

Student Mentor Partners works with students who are moderately low to low-income. It is our belief that these youth have fewer financial resources, which often limits their access to quality education, college preparation, job readiness, and exposure to experiences outside of their mainstream culture.

Where do your mentors come from?

Mentors are volunteers from within the surrounding Detroit community. Mentors are at least 20 years old and come from a variety of cultural, economic, and racial backgrounds.

How do I know that the mentors working with the youth are safe?

To ensure the safety of the youth in the program, prior to being matched with a youth, mentors must undergo an individual interview and submit to the following background checks:
 

• Federal Criminal Record Check
• State of Michigan Criminal Record check
• Sex Offender Registry Check
• Department of Human Services Child Abuse Check
• 3 Personal Reference Check

In addition, mentors are required to undergo a 2½ hour training session and provide proof of Valid Driver’s License and Valid Auto Insurance.

How many students does a mentor work with?

Mentors in Student Mentor Partners work directly with one student for that student’s duration in the program and high school.

How are mentors matched with students?

Student Mentor Partners matches mentors with students based on several characteristics. First, mentors and students are matched based on gender; male to male and female to female. Second, we take into consideration the interests of the mentors and students and attempt to make matches within similar interests. At times, mentors may request to work with a student who attends the high school they once attended or who lives near them. Once we take the first two characteristics into account, we will do our best to honor such requests.

Where does Student Mentor Partners get funds to operate the program?

Student Mentor Partners is a non-profit organization that operates solely from the donations of individuals, foundations, and businesses/corporations.

If my child is an “A” student, can he/she apply for the program?

Unfortunately, the Student Mentor Partners program is designed to help those students whom we determine are at-risk for dropping out of high school. We have concluded that students with “A” averages are not as likely to drop out and will probably be successful at any school he or she attends. Our focus is on the academically average or marginal student who, without proper guidance and support, may “fall through the cracks,” become frustrated with school, and eventually drop out.

What is the average tuition assistance amount?

The average tuition assistance amount is $2000 a year per student.

Once my child is in the program, do we have to reapply every year?

Students do not have to reapply each year they are in the program. Once accepted into the program, students will automatically remain in the program and receive their tuition award as long as they are meeting the requirements of the program.

Where do students and mentors meet?

Student Mentor Partners is a community based mentoring program. Therefore, mentoring occurs within the community. Monthly events are scheduled throughout the year for students and mentors to participate in (usually Saturdays or Friday evenings). However, students and mentors are welcomed and encouraged to spend time together doing other events within the community based on their coordinated schedules.