Mentoring in New Brunswick

America's most forgotten, isolated and at-risk children are the estimated 7.3 million children who have one or both parents under some form of state or federal supervision. Without effective intervention many of these children will likely follow their parents steps into jail or prison. Our mentoring program was developed to provide them with a different path by establishing the consistent presence of loving, caring adults in their lives. The goal is to assist these children in achieving their highest potential by engaging them in consistent and committed mentoring relationships with adults. In addition to mentoring children of incarcerated parents, YES has started assisting all at-risk children in the area who are in need of a one-on-one mentor relationship. Mentors Assisting Children (MAC) gives YES the capacity to reach out to the needs of every child in the community. Mentors spend at least an hour per week with a mentee providing a positive influence in their lives.

In this program, data is collected from the mentors in the form of monthly reports in a variety of areas including the frequency and duration of each meeting, types of activities they were engaged in, progress in the relationship, etc. Several times a year all of the mentors and mentees are gathered together for joint activities in order for the mentees to realize they are part of a larger group.

MAC is a volunteer based programs that mentor youth in need of a positive relationship. A staff member implements the operations of the day-to-day tasks. The budget is divided into two sections 1) salaries and 2) programs and operations. Program costs include mentor training, background screenings, caregiver preparation, special events for the mentors and mentees, and office supplies. The cost per child in this program is under six dollars per day. Also included are the cost for occupancy, utilities, insurance, phone and internet. YES has attempted to operate a very cost effective program to meet the needs of these at-risk children.