Why Mentoring?

There is solid evidence that effective mentoring programs can change the direction of a youth's life. Connecting to Success involves youth with disabilities in an e-mentoring project that holds high expectations of youth while helping them develop social competence, academic motivation, career awareness, and improved skills in reading, writing, and technology.

How it Works . . .

• Schools connect with employers to form a mentoring partnership, with employees committing to spend time each week corresponding with students via e-mail.
  
• Teachers guide and monitor the process, integrating the mentoring experience into class activities.
  
• Occasionally during the school year, mentors and students meet face-to-face at structured, school-sponsored events.
  
• Community members provide leadership and support for the project, and agency service providers lend their expertise when needed.
  

Our Vision . . .

• We see students with disabilities across the country looking forward to learning at school, developing social competence through mentoring relationships with caring adults, and developing plans for their careers.
  
• We see schools forming dynamic, interactive partnerships with employers, using their combined strengths to develop creative solutions to educational and workforce problems.
  
• We see mentors in communities throughout the country immersed in sharing their gifts, experiences, humor, encouragement, and career knowledge while their mentees awaken to new possibilities in their lives.
  
• We see employers and community members learning more about the capabilities of youth with disabilities while youth gain the skills and confidence to strive with determination toward their highest goals.
  

References

Grossman, J.B. (1999). The practice, quality and cost of mentoring. In J.B. Grossman (Ed.) Contemporary issues in mentoring. New York: Public/Private Ventures.

This page was last updated on October 2, 2007.