National Mentoring Month: Change a Child's Life

January is National Mentoring Month, and the YMCA is looking for mentors to help inspire young people in Oakland and other parts of the Bay Area. 

The Building Futures Mentoring Program matches at-risk youth with mentors, who spend between one and three hours of quality time per week with their mentees for an entire year — whether that means chatting in a coffee shop or taking a hip-hop dance class at the Y.

In 2011, volunteers with the national program provided mentoring to almost 1,000 young people between the ages of 6 and 18. The young people from Alameda and Contra Costa Counties are referred from schools, churches, mental health organizations, social services agencies, churches, after-school programs and from other YMCA programs. 

Many come from foster homes or difficult family situations, and all are dealing with issues that may include:

• Diminished self-esteem
• Social isolation
• Peer conflicts
• Low academic performance
• Loss and bereavement
• Poor decision making
• Negative influences
• Trauma

Some may need help honing their life skills, and others just a listening ear.

Mentors are given 15 hours of interactive training that includes communication skills, recognizing and reporting child abuse and danger, and understanding family dynamics. The mentor then works with Building Futures staff to assess their own skills, strengths and life experiences before being matched with a child or teenager to mentor.

According to the YMCA, the benefit of having a mentor is significant and tangible for young people. Youth are five times more likely to graduate high school if they have a meaningful relationship with an adult, the YMCA claims. Mentored children and teenagers are less likely to start using illegal drugs, and more likely to experience improved mental and overall health, life satisfaction and behavior.

Mentor training at the Downtown Oakland YMCA begins Tuesday, Feb. 10, 6 to 8:30 p.m., and continues for three more sessions. To learn more about the program, visit the Y's mentoring webpage or call (510) 318-7624.

Mentoring training in Berkeley begins Jan. 24 at and is ongoing. For more information  or contact Hillary Lopez, Building Futures coordinator at hlopez@ymca-cba.org or (510) 542-2123. 

For other areas, visit YMCA-SF online to find the program nearest to or most convenient for you.

Mentors must be at least 23 years old, have a desire to work with at-risk youth and no felony convictions, and be able to commit for at least one year.