Mentoring Reading Program Mentors are caring, trusted, and reliable teenagers who serve as volunteer academic mentors to their secondary school peers from various backgrounds throughout the Richmond area. Centered on the foundational experience of reading together, and according to the vision of our organization using elements of effective practice for mentoring,  our Mentors give their mentees the confidence, motivation, and support they need to succeed in school and in life. In accordance with the Mission and Vision of WoMen of Connections Ministry, Mentors aim to encourage international and native-born citizens to achieve academic success as they work together to improve skills in vocabulary, grammar, communication, reading comprehension, and test-taking. Mentors make an initial one-year-commitment to their mentee(s) but are encouraged to continue mentoring the same students for multiple years. All Mentors must have the ability to read and comprehend with Proficiency to their corresponding grade level.

Benefits:

• Guaranteed 20 hours of volunteer opportunity per session towards graduation
• Receive Vision and health screening
• Receive support for college admission.
• Develop leadership skills. 
• Develop team membership skills.
• Access to all possible resources for academic advancement provided by WOC Ministry.
• Opportunity to receive an additional 90 volunteer hours during the summer camp. 
• References from English teachers are preferred but optional.                      

Qualifications:

• Must agree with the Mission and Vision of WoMen of Connections Ministry
• Must be a 5th – 12th grader
• Must possess a sincere desire to make an impact in a peer’s life
• Must be willing to meet each Mentee where s/he is and greet every session with an open mind 
• Must possess strong listening skills
• Must be flexible and patient 
• Must be sensitive and open to people of different educational, economic, cultural, and racial backgrounds
• Must be able to make a weekly commitment for the duration of the school year.

Responsibilities: 

• Provide mentorship to one Mentee during each Sunday mentoring session by assisting with their reading needs.
• Each individual will be paired with a Mentee. 
• 1 year commitment.
• 3 hour/week.
• Develop and maintain a healthy and supportive mentoring relationship.
• Attend mandatory training sessions before and after being matched.
• Meet with the Mentee on a regular basis at the assigned library or on-line per the program calendar.
• Arrive on time for each mentoring session.
• Whenever applicable, communicate with a co-mentor and program staff to maintain an alternating schedule to ensure your Mentee has a mentor each week.
• Communicate any scheduling conflicts with the Program Coordinator.
• Participate in group and one-on-one mentoring and reading activities led by the WoMen of Connections Ministry Program Coordinator.
• Ask the Program Coordinator for support when needed. 
• Immediately report safety issues and concerns to Program Coordinator.
• Complete occasional surveys and questionnaires from WoMen of Connections Ministry to track student progress and program satisfaction.

Apply Today 

Background Check Consent Form1

Background Check Form2

*Please email the Background Check Consent form to this email – [email protected]

5th to 12th grade Secondary School Students that read below their current grade level. They might be a High school student that reads on the elementary school level. Or, refugee or international students that missed elementary school education due to lack of educational resources. Come with a heart to receive and a willingness to achieve greatness.

• Individuals will be paired with a mentor  based on the Element of Effective Practice for Mentoring. 
• Requires a 3 hour/week commitment for 1 year.
• Vision and health screening.
• Academic support with the school counselor.
• Developed a team membership skill.
• Support for college admission / Career in Technical Education.
• Access to all possible resources for academic advancement provided by WOC Ministry.
• Will need to participate in Pre and Post testing.
• Opportunity to acquire volunteer hours throughout the year. 

Apply Today 

Our Mentoring Reading Program Adult Facilitators are skilled, resourceful, and caring individuals who oversee the work of our volunteer Student Mentors. Each Adult Facilitator ensures that their assigned Student Mentors have the training, knowledge and skills they need to assist their same-aged peer-Mentees with developing their reading, writing, vocabulary, comprehension, communication, and test-taking skills. Every Adult Facilitator is dedicated to improving the lives of youth from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds.

 Benefits

• Internship Opportunity
• Develop leadership skills.
• Professional Reference
• Opportunity to receive 140 volunteer hours

Qualifications

• Must be at least 19 years old.
• Must be a professional candidate with a high school diploma.
• Must be enrolled in a college or university.
• Must have prior experience working with youth in an academic setting.
• Must possess strong active listening skills- Must be able to see solutions and opportunities for every student.

Responsibility

• Must believe in the Mission and Vision of WoMen of Connections Ministry.
• Must be able to make a 1-year commitment.
• Must participate in pre-match and post-match mentor training.
• Must be able to spend 4 hours per week in program.
• Must respect and show empathy for young people from diverse backgrounds.
• Must possess a sincere desire to help young people.
• Must be able to build students’ confidence and motivations in learning.
• Must be able to mentor with flexibility, adaptability, and open-mindedness.
• Must be able to help students meet academic, college, and/or career goals.
• Must immediately report incidents of concern to program leaders.
• Must abide by all policies and procedures of program.
• Must pass a criminal background check.

To Apply

• Send resume and cover letter to [email protected] or Click Here to Apply.
• Complete the background check forms:
  • Form1: Background Check Consent Form
  • Form 2: Google Form

FOR INQUIRIES

Contact Aanu Adewusi, Executive Director, at 804-601-0041.