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McKinley Children's Center Volunteer Guide
Mentor Program (Group Home)
What is a mentor?
A mentor is a positive role model who uses their wisdom and experience to help a younger person develop greater knowledge, self-esteem, coping skills, and social abilities. A mentor teaches responsible decision-making. This is done by listening, encouraging, and demonstrating maturity through their own actions.
Why are mentors needed?
Our children, ages infancy to 16 years, often lack an adequate support system during this crucial time in their lives. For some, families are either unwilling or unable to provide the care and guidance needed for the childrens' successful development as adults. Mentors are crucial to filling this void in their support systems.
What commitment is involved?
In order to protect and provide the most benefit, we encourage a mentor to make a long-term commitment and arrange at least 4 visits per month.
Consistency is extremely important. Our children have too often been disappointed by unkept promises. A child and their mentor will initially meet on campus to get acquainted and then arrange for meeting in the outside community.
All outings will first be approved by individual therapists.
Mentor applicants must be at least 25 years of age. Currently, mentors are needed at the group home and will be working with our older boys who are getting ready for emancipation.
Volunteering for an organization that reaches out to children in your community can be one of life's truly rewarding experiences.
The volunteer program at McKinley Children's Center is designed to enhance the programs and services of the Center. The mission of the center is to help the children to gain the skills, knowledge and self-esteem essential to personal maturity and successful family functioning.
McKinley Children's Center offers a wide range of services including:
> Campus Based Residental Treatment
> Group Home Residential Treatment
> Foster Home Program
> Special Education
> Family Counseling & Reunification
The Volunteer Program, in support of the mission, has developed the following goals:
> Educate the community about the McKinley Children's Center and establish broader community involvement
> To provide support to our staff
> To provide more services to our children
> To stretch McKinley's limited resources
The volunteer positions are tailored, in part, to the interest and skills of the individual, as well as, to specific needs of the children.
Volunteer Activities:
> Handy Helpers
These volunteers will assist staff in the many areas available in the offices. These duties may include typing, filing, answering phones, copying, writing, word processing and computer skills.
> Many Hands - Light Work (Groups):
Local business and/or community organizations occasionally perform service projects to benefit the Center. We always need volunteers who are motivated and self-directed to help in our maintenance department. Assistance is needed in the areas of carpentry, painting, bike repair, and gardening.
The Advocates (Agency Advancemet ) - Special Friends
These may include one-on-one opportunities such as: foster family respite care provider, special outing coordinator or cottage grandparent.
The San Gabriel Valley Women's Auxiliary:
Theme for the year: "He who helps a child helps humanity". - Phillip Brooks
Lunch meeting and program meet every other month September through May.
Auxiliary Members enjoy:
> Fellowship
> A Sense of belonging
> A meaningful purpose
> Participation in fun and exciting fundraising events.
For information, please contact Rhonda Beltran at 909-670-1577.
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