Jeffco 4-H Mentoring Program partners with the National Mentoring Partnership.  The Jeffco 4-H Mentoring Program is proud to work in alignment with the standards of the National Mentoring Partnership (MENTOR).  This program has initiated the 2-step National Quality Mentoring System (NQMS) process by completing a quality self-assessment and review facilitated by MENTOR Colorado and developing an innovation and improvement plan to promote continuous improvement and alignment with evidence-based practices for mentoring.  For more information on this process, please contact Diana Solenberger at dsolenbe@jeffco.us

What is the Youth and Families with Promise 4-H Mentoring Program?

The Youth & Families with Promise 4-H Mentoring Program is a grant based mentoring program.  It is funded by the National 4-H Council with a grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.  In this program, developed through Utah State University 4-H, children ages 9-16 are matched with a mentor in a group mentoring situation.  The mentors meet with the children weekly for 1 ½ to 2 hours.  All the mentors and children are registered 4-H leaders and members.  They use the 4-H project groups as a way work on life skills such as: public speaking, self-confidence, written language, team work skills and so much more.  The children get a chance to form a bond with a caring and consistent adult. The goals of the program are to improve academics, increase social skills and strengthen family bonds.  The way this is done is with the three components of the program which are listed below:

The program consists of three components:

• Group Mentoring – Volunteer mentors work directly with at-risk youth weekly to help them build academic and social skills.
• 4-H Activities – Club involvement serves to enhance social competencies through leadership opportunities, community service and group projects. 4-H YFP clubs elect officers, complete service learning projects and work on 4-H projects which are then entered in the Jeffco Fair & Festival.
• Family Events – Family Night Out events are planned 6 times a year for the families.   This makes it so the families can bond in a more relaxed environment.  There are fun activities and lots of chances to hold good conversations which can bring the family unit back together.

Being a Volunteer Mentor

Our volunteer mentors provide an amazing gift to the mentees. They are caring adults who are committed to changing the lives of youth. These at-risk kids need committed and consistent adult role models in their lives. Please only apply if you can commit to spending a year with a mentee. Mentors help open doors to youth for interests in science, technology, engineering and math, as well as helping them develop life skills such as self-esteem, responsibility, problem-solving, cooperation, sharing and teamwork.

Time Commitment:

• Mentors commit to meeting weekly with their mentees for a year.
• Mentors meet with mentees for about one and a half hours per week in a small groups with additional contacts as appropriate including family nights, fairs and culminating events.
• Mentors will do a mentor orientation once they have finished their 4-H Leader process through 4-Honline. This process includes at least 3 references and a background check.
• Mentors will do quarterly mentor trainings at the Jeffco Fairgrounds and will agree to keep in weekly contact with the mentor coordinator.

How do I apply to be a mentor?

Please contact Diana Solenberger at dsolenbe@jeffco.us in order to set up an intake interview to complete the paperwork necessary.  All adult applicants over the age of 18 will be subject to a background check.