Fuller Center Accepting Mentor Applications

Fuller Center Teen Program
(Fuller Center)

(PRESS RELEASE)_Boca Raton, FL, April 3, 2023 – Fuller Center, a not-for-profit organization focused on meeting the needs of the children and families in our community, is accepting applications for its mentorship program. Adults and teens over the age of 16 with a desire to make a difference in the lives of deserving children and youth should consider becoming part of this United Way of Palm Beach County funded program.
 
The program goal is to provide youth ages 6-20 with access to a positive, caring relationship with a non-parental adult or teen. Mentors and mentees share experiences that promote students’ ability to build positive relationships, resulting in positive life outcomes. Mentors must pass a background screening and commit to mentoring a minimum of once per week for one year. Once matched, mentors and mentees meet after school and in the summer weekly for at least one hour at one of the two Fuller Center campuses. Mentors focus on experiences, interests, developing positive and mutually beneficial relationships, and assist with homework.

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Benefits to the mentee include:

• Practical advice, encouragement and support
• Experiences learned from others
• Increased social and academic confidence
• Empowerment to make decisions
• Development of communication, study, and personal skills
• Development of strategies for dealing with both personal and academic issues
• Help in identifying goals and establishing a sense of direction
• Valuable insight into the future
• Opportunity to make new friends

Most mentors have shared that the personal return they receive from this experience far exceeds what they put into it.

Benefits of being a mentor:

• Improvement of communication and personal skills
• Development of leadership and management qualities
• Reinforcement of study skills and knowledge of new subject(s)
• Increased confidence and motivation
• Enhanced résumé and life experiences
• Increased circle of friends
• Recognition for skills and experience
• A sense of purpose, fulfillment and personal growth

Mentors are trained to help build social skills and trust, work on relationship-building, and provide academic support, which are many of the soft skills that contribute to lifelong success. Mentors work with the same child or a small group of children for a one-year period, to further ensure stability and success.
“We believe it’s critical that we come together as a community to help one another, particularly as our students begin a new school year, after going through such a challenging time,” said Ellyn Okrent, CEO of the Fuller Center. “This is an opportunity for people to find a meaningful sense of purpose and do something that will make a huge difference in the lives of our kids.”
 
Those who want to contribute but may not have the time to dedicate to the mentorship program are welcome to participate in the Adopt-a-Class program with a $1,500 contribution that will fund a classroom’s needs for the entire school year. Those who
adopt a class may participate as frequently as desired for a year to celebrate birthdays and holidays or visit at a scheduled time to interact with the children of their adopted class for a year.
 
To learn more, please contact Olga Bearhope at [email protected] or at 561-391-7274, ext. 136.
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