RISE MENTOR PROGRAM NEEDS YOU

Dear First Fridays Recipient:
We do not normally send special emails out for organizations or businesses but this is a special request that is near and dear to the hearts of many. We have some High School African American youths who are in dire need of positive African American Role Models.They are a part of a program at Menlo Atherton High School called RISE.

RISE is a co-ed school-based mentor program working with motivated, but underachieving, African-American high schoolers from East Palo Alto and East Menlo Park who attend Menlo-Atherton. RISE stands for "Realizing Intellect through Self-Empowerment." A RISE mentor role models positive behaviors and walks along side their mentee as they face adolescent dilemmas. We are looking for positive African-American adults who have experience working with youth, and are ready to make a commitment to a young person. We expect a lot from our mentors because motivating and guiding African-American youth today is not easy, however the reward for helping a young person shape their own path toward success is great.

RISE offers an selective class in the curriculum which focuses on skills-building and self-empowerment, but what attracts many of the kids to our program is the tutoring component. Students know that they will receive tutoring in any subject that they are having trouble with once a week during class, and a second day after-school if they are on probation (a sub 2.5 GPA).

Our goal is to attract 10 committed tutors by September 1, 1998 for Mondays and Wednesdays, and to have a tutor orientation/training during the last week of August or first two weeks of September at Menlo-Atherton.

As a former/returning mentor in this program, I must add that the need is great but the return can be very rewarding to you in your own personal growth and your struggle to find ways to give back to the community. Remember we have all had a positive Role Model in our life that has helped us get to where we are today... reach back and lend your helping hand to someone who needs it.

If you are interested or know someone who may be interested, please have them respond to:
Josh Edleman @ (650) 322-5311 x 5136 or mailto:jedelman@mabears.org