All About Us!

Reach For The Stars is a non-profit organization that serves the youths of Bells Ferry Elementary and JJ Daniell Middle Schools of Cobb County Georgia.

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Reach for the Stars Mentoring Program is to empower at-risk youth in our community to make positive life choices that enable them to maximize their personal potential. RSMP is mentoring children who are on "the brink of success."

Vision Statement:

Reach for the Stars Mentoring Program envisions a community in which every youth experiences quality one-to-one relationships and community support, which in turn allows each of them to develop into their full potential capable of making informed, responsible decisions as involved members of our community.

History:

Reach for the Stars Mentoring Program, a nonprofit organization, was developed in 2004 in Marietta, Georgia by an elementary school teacher, Jennifer Oria.  Mrs. Oria has been an elementary teacher for 14 years and has been awarded the Teacher of the Year for three years.  Mrs. Oria and Stephanie Charyna, another Teacher of the Year recipient, were brought together by a common belief that the youth in their community lacked meaningful academic and social role models. With the support of Mr. Julian Watters, Principal of Bells Ferry Elementary, Mrs. Merrilee Heflin, Principal of JJ Daniell Middle School and Cobb County School District; Mrs. Oria and Resource Associates submitted a mentoring grant to the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools. The program was awarded a $225,000 per year for a three year grant to implement a school based mentoring initiative that matches non-related adult mentors with children (grades 4th-8th ) with the greatest needs to promote positive development and social responsibility, as well as improved academic achievement.  In August of 2007, the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools granted our program an additional year to continue our services.

RSMP has partnered with the following local companies and agencies: Cobb County School District, Publix, Cobb County Sheriff’s Dept., Barnes and Noble, SteviB’s, Piedmont Church, and Summit Church.  With the help of these and other organizations, we will recruit, screen and train mentors to provide quality matches for both the mentee and mentor.

The Reach for the Stars Mentoring Program provides after school enrichment activities and programs for participating students and their families. RSMP provides a safe and fun environment where students can receive assistance in homework and tutoring, along with opportunities to attend cultural, academic and youth development activities.

Program Goals:

1. To increase competency in two foundational skill areas:  language skills and mathematics-quantitative skills

  2. To build self-confidence and positive social values in mentored students

  3. To reduce incidence of crime, violence, and unexcused absences from school

  4. To encourage students to aspire to high education levels and to graduate from high school

5. To provide an on-going source of trained mentors for the district and develop mentoring matches that are sustained for at least one year or longer

  6. To enhance parenting skills and involvement to help their child succeed academically and socially

Program Components:

Component 1: Educational Enhancement Activities
these activities will be provided to the mentor.  The mentor, with the help of the program staff, will assist the student to complete regular day coursework and homework.  The mentor will maintain consistent communication with regular day teachers via school agendas and/or email to discuss student progress and academic needs.  The tools provided include the Accelerated Reader instructional technology, Math Facts/Accelerated Math instructional software, and other software along with fun activities and crafts that will be provided to the mentor.

Component 2:  Youth Development Activities
RSMP will provide recreational and fitness activities such as team sport activities, Fit for Life workshop series, and guest speakers who will be invited to speak on several topics including drug and substance abuse topics.  RSMP will also provide a rock wall, fitness equipment and other sport activities that will allow mentors and mentees to work out together and give them the opportunity to discuss the importance of being healthy and physically fit.   The match will also document these activities in a written journal.
Youth development- the mentors will serve as positive examples by merely interacting with the mentees and sharing their productive lives and stories of their childhood and adult experiences.   RSMP will provide seminars on goal setting and motivation.  In addition, a component of the program will include community service.  With the help of the Cobb County Sheriff’s department and St. Paul United Methodist Church, we will develop a project that will teach the students the importance of giving back to the community. This could include organizing a blood drive to benefit a local hospital, landscaping and cleanup at a local homeless shelter or nursing home or perhaps a service that the mentors and mentees would decide together that would benefit our community.

Component 3: Career and College Preparation Activities
RSMP will provide age-appropriate activities geared towards higher education and career awareness.  Each mentor will be provided suggested activities on how the mentor can easily and naturally integrate the concept of career awareness into the match relationship.  RSMP will provide field trips to local businesses and to culturally enriched program/learning centers.  Mentors and mentees will participate in field trips to local colleges and universities.

Component 4:  Parent Involvement
RSMP with the help of the schools will provide an open door policy where families feel welcome and are encouraged to drop in during our after school activities.  RSMP will host programs and special events that encourage family participation.  We will also host open house nights and student led mentor-teacher-parent conferences as needed. RSMP will offer several workshops that could include topics such as  time management, parenting skills, homework assistance, resume writing, balancing work and family life to the families of the mentors and mentees.

Job Description for a Mentor
Updated January 2005

The mission of the Reach for the Stars Mentoring Program is to empower at-risk youth in our community to make positive life choices that enable them to maximize their personal potential. Through collaborative programming with schools and other community-based organizations, RSMP will provide educational, social and mentoring opportunities to enhance the academic performance, social, and community connections, and career options of the Bells Ferry Elementary and JJ Daniell Middle School students.

Mentor Role

·     Take the lead in supporting a young person through an ongoing, one-to-one relationship

·     Serve as a positive role model and friend

·     Build the relationship by planning and participating in activities together

·     Strive for mutual respect

·     Build self-esteem and motivation

·     Help set goals and work toward accomplishing them

Time Commitment

·        Make a one-year commitment

·        Spend a minimum of eight hours per month one-to-one with a mentee

·        Communicate with the mentee weekly

·        Attend an initial two-hour training session and additional training sessions quarterly throughout the school year.

·        Attend optional mentor/mentee group events, mentor support groups, workshops, and program recognition events

Participation Requirements

·        Be at least 17 years old

·        Be interested in working with young people

·        Be willing to adhere to all program policies and procedures

·        Be willing to complete the application and screening process

·        Be dependable and consistent in meeting the time commitments

·        Attend mentor training sessions as prescribed

·        Be willing to communicate regularly with the mentor coordinator and/or program director, submit activity information, and take constructive feedback regarding mentoring activities

·        Have access to an automobile, auto insurance, and a good driving record

·        Have a clean criminal history

&   No use of illicit drugs