|
|
A2Z Mentoring Program
Sowing the Seeds of Success
A2Z mentoring program promotes the 8 “C”s – Compassion, Caring, Commitment, Consistency,
Creativity, Challenge, Communication and Confidence in mentors, supervisors, mentees
and their families.
Who we are
"Aim for A 2 Z" is a free mentoring/tutoring 501(c)(3) non-profit organization,
operating in Mercer County for the past four years. The program is supported by
a group of caring, professional and competent volunteers. The A2Z mentoring program
commenced mentoring and tutoring elementary and middle school students scholastically,
during the Fall of 2004 in the East Windsor/Hightstown area and started in the Ewing
area in January 2007.
A2Z has had a significant and positive impact on the lives of children. An important
aspect of the program is the emphasis on improving life skills, improving study
skills, enhancing self-esteem and introducing the pleasures of life long learning
in students. A2Z provides mentoring/tutoring to students from GRADES 1 through 9
in the areas of Math, Science, Reading and written English at Hightstown, East Windsor
Twp., and Ewing Twp.
Why A2Z Mentoring Program
Many of A2Z’s students come from single-parent, low-income, immigrant or refugee
families with a history of welfare dependence. Many of them lack family and community
support, opportunities, and resources for consistent and organized study and learning.
Some students come from non-English speaking families or their parents work long
hours and have little time left over to aid in their children’s school work. Many
of these children are discounted or discouraged due to their socio-economic status,
race, class, gender, ethnicity or geographic location. These children enter school
behind their peers in reading and math readiness and fail to catch up.
The A2Z Mentoring Program not only helps these disadvantaged and needy elementary
and middle school children, but also enables high school student mentors to develop
a community spirit, a giving mind-set, and gain leadership experience. It provides
an opportunity to the mentors, to work with a diverse group of students from low-income
families in a learning environment.
How We help
A2Z aims to provide one-on-one tutoring and mentoring for disadvantaged students
by giving one and one-half hours per week of mentors time. Our Mentors stresses
academic achievement in the core areas of math, reading and writing. But it is not
just a second class room. A2Z goes beyond tutoring by providing these students with
a mentor relationship. Students who participate in the program gain the skills and
self confidence necessary for success. We support new ideas about how to engage
children and youth in learning and new ways to bring together community-based systems
that promote learning. Our process of mentoring, tutoring and learning, occurs in
Mercer County, all the time. We help to advance positive outcomes for the children
and youth within the communities we serve.
Mentors involved in the A2Z Mentoring Program are self motivated, self confident,
people oriented community members who offer their time and expertise to help students
gain confidence, self-esteem and work for a better education. A2Z’s mentors are
responsible, interested, willing and committed to the student. By working together
mentoring creates a strong bond between the mentor and their mentee. A2Z’s Mentors
expose youth to new ideas, and opportunities allowing them to make better decisions
in their present and future lives thus creating a better citizen and future leaders.
|
