The Facts

• The Mentoring Program was originally established at Flowery Elementary School in January 1996. Due to overwhelming success, the program now serves students at Dunbar, Flowery, El Verano, Sassarini, and Prestwood Elementary Schools, Altimira and Adele Harrison Middle Schools, and an extension program at Sonoma Valley High School.
   
• Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, was formed in May 1999 to provide funding and help with the recruitment of new mentors.
   
• The goal is to match every child who is at-risk academically and/or socially with a caring adult role model from the Sonoma community.
   
• Mentors volunteer a minimum of one hour, once a week, during the scheduled school day.
   
• Presently, there are approximately 365 volunteer mentors who work one-on-one with 365 at-risk children. Follow-through support is also given to teenagers in grades 9-12.

• Parents must sign a consent form to allow their child to participate, and are encouraged to play an active role with the Mentor and the program. Students must also sign a contract acknowledging their willingness to participate.
   
• Social functions are held periodically at the school sites in an effort to get Mentor-Mentee families together.
   
• Teachers support the Mentoring Program, and are encouraged to keep an open line of communication with the Mentors. Throughout the year, on-going Mentoring support is provided at our once-a-month Roundtables.
   
• Extra-curricular activities and outings on weekends and school vacations are encouraged between the Mentor and Mentees.
   
• The Stand By Me Mentoring Program received the Spirit of Mentoring Award from the California Mentor Initiative for two consecutive years, one of only four school-based-programs in the state to receive this honor!
  

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