Live Y'ers is an after-school and mentoring program for at-risk girls. Girls in grades three through five at Glenwood Leadership Academy and Lodge Community School are bused to the YWCA for an after-school program. Beginning in 6th grade, the girls are matched with an adult mentor, who serves as a sounding board and coach.
Girls have lunch with mentors and discuss important issues once per month at their school. This continues through their high school years at Bosse High School. Mentors meet with their mentees for about 45 minutes, September through May. We ask that volunteers commit to one school year at a time but hope they will continue with their assigned girl throughout the program at middle school and high school. Volunteers may choose to meet with their girls additionally, outside of the school setting, but this is not a requirement.
We have found that participating in a mentoring relationship promotes positive social behavior and relationships for our girls, and results in improved attitudes toward education. Many of our volunteers report that the experience is every bit as fulfilling for them as mentors.
