STARS MENTORING PROGRAM

CONSIDER THESE FACTS

There are 35.2 million young people ages 10-18 in the U.S. today.

• 1 out of 4 lives with only one parent
• 1 out of 10 was born to teen parents
• 1 out of 5 lives in poverty
• 1 out of 10 will not finish high school

A lot of these youth can benefit from a positive, supportive relationship with a caring adult; a mentor. A healthy relationship with a caring adult improves the chances that young people will beat the odds: finish school, rise above generational poverty, and become healthy, productive adults themselves.

WHO MENTORED YOU?

Vancouver STARS Mentoring Program is housed at the VHA's RISE & STARS Community Center and is made possible by grants from the Clark County Department of Community Services and HUD.

Vancouver STARS matches caring adults in 1:1 mentoring relationships with youth in 5th through 8th grades. Matches are made based on common interests, proximity, cultural background, and gender.

Each Mentor/Youth pair meets for a minimum of one hour per week over the course of one year or more. Meetings can take place at school, in the community, at the youth's house, or the RISE & STARS Community Center. Adult mentors support the efforts of their students to do well in school, encourage them to stay away from destructive behaviors, and act as role models at a critical time in young people's lives.

STARS provides three hours of initial mentor training. Monthly meetings provide support and on-going training.

There are mentor and student opportunities available:

Apply today to be a mentor, please call the RISE & STARS Community Center at (360) 992-0232

Find out more about getting your child involved in the STARS mentoring program, call the RISE & STARS Community Center at (360) 992-0232. Please note that youth participants must live in VHA Public Housing or Section 8 housing sponsored by the Vancouver Housing Authority.