History of the Mentor Program
1998: Inception The mentor program was launched in 1998 by Assistant Executive Officer Keith Boggs as a pilot initiative to provide guidance and support to students in the community, fostering personal and academic growth.
1999: Official Program In January 1999, the success of the pilot led to the Employee Volunteer Mentor program becoming an official County initiative. This formalization aimed to structure and expand the program's reach, allowing more students to benefit from mentoring relationships.
2020-2021: The program experienced a brief pause during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2021.
2022: Relaunch Post-Pandemic In 2022, efforts were made to relaunch and reinvigorate the program. The County adapted to new challenges and continued to provide valuable support to students despite the difficulties faced in relaunching the program.
2023-2025: Partnership with Sierra Vista Child and Family Services In 2023, the mentor program expanded its scope through a strategic partnership with Sierra Vista Child and Family Services. This collaboration aimed to enhance the services provided, reaching more students and offering additional resources and support to mentors and mentees.
Current Impact and Objectives
Today, the mentor program supports the Stanislaus County Cradle-2-Career Initiative, which focuses on providing continuous support to ensure academic and career success for all students in Stanislaus County. Over the 2023-2024 school year, the Stanislaus County Volunteer Mentor Program, in partnership with Sierra Vista Child & Family Services, impacted the lives of 115 students, accumulated over 1995 mentoring hours across six Modesto City Schools and welcomed 44 new mentors. The program continues to evolve, incorporating new elements such as monthly student updates, administrative support, weekly programming, and ongoing education and training for mentors.
Future Goals
Stanislaus County is committed to continually enhancing our partnership with Sierra Vista Child & Family Services to expand and develop the mentor program, aiming to positively impact more students in our community. This commitment aligns with the goals of the Stanislaus County Cradle-2-Career Initiative, which seeks to create a supportive environment for students from early childhood through their careers. By integrating the mentor program with this initiative, we aim to provide comprehensive support that helps students achieve their full potential and succeed in their academic and professional endeavors, while also investing in the future of workforce development.
Mentorship has been shown to positively influence student success rates. Research indicates that mentorship programs can reduce behavioral problems and improve academic performance. According to a study published in the "Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology," mentorship provides children with emotional support, role models, and guidance, which fosters better behavior and academic success. These improvements extend beyond the classroom, as mentored children are more likely to grow into successful adults in the workforce, ultimately benefiting the community as a whole (Rhodes, J. E., & DuBois, D. L., 2008).
By focusing on mentorship, we are not only addressing immediate educational challenges but also building a stronger, more capable workforce for the future. This holistic approach ensures that we are supporting our students' academic achievements and their long-term professional and personal development, thereby strengthening our community.
