Mentoring Youth Program
Research shows that mentoring helps reduce suicidal behavior, tobacco usage, substance abuse, violence, teenage pregnancy, and truancy. It also improves academic performance.
For this reason the SMHS Southwest Campus is engaged in an ongoing Mentoring youth Program that works! Its mission is to strengthen youth in our communities through a consistent and caring mentoring relationship.
Youth who spend time with a mentor:
- Have a more positive attitude toward school and are better able to trust teachers
- Have improved relationships with other adults
- Are better able to express themselves
- Share higher levels of self-confidence
- Achieve higher grades in social studies, languages, and math
Our program works to ensure that:
- Mentors meet with their youth weekly
- Mentors are developmental (i.e., focused on providing support and opportunities versus fixing problems)
- The relationship is fun and enjoyable for both
- Screening, matching, and supervising matches are core components
- Mentoring is a long-term relationship
About Us
The UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences mentoring effort matches UND medical students with Native American middle school students at Theodore Jamerson School. This highly successful school-based program has the added advantage of providing a long-term service learning opportunity to medical students around issues of adolescent health related to substance abuse, violence, suicide, early teen pregnancy, and HIV prevention.
Contact
Beth Stroup Menge
Mentor Coordinator
701 East Rosser Ave, 2nd Floor
701.226.4044
Jodi Rathjen
Program Assistant
701 East Rosser Ave, 2nd Floor
701.751.9579