Think about your high school years. What helped you get through them? Your friends? Teachers? Parents? Sure — but sometimes it helps to have someone else to talk to and do things with. Not someone connected to school; not a family member; and certainly not a peer.

Mentors make big differences in young people’s lives. Young people need positive adult role models and a window into worlds beyond their own neighborhoods. Just spending a few hours a month with a young person can help him or her develop confidence, build trust, and achieve goals. Your small commitment can have a huge impact.

A CPE mentor is a caring adult teamed with a student to provide friendship, feedback, and a role model. CPE mentors are college graduates, at least 21 years old, who are willing to help their students achieve their academic potential, develop socially, and become more aware of their community and the wider world. CPE mentors model the CPE values and make these commitments:

• A two-year mentoring relationship with a CPE student
• Meet with your student at least once per month
• Call and/or e-mail your student at least once a week, and be a good listener
• Act as a positive, trustworthy, and reliable friend, role model, and advisor

We match mentors and students based on gender, common interests, and geographical proximity. CPE hosts activities throughout the year for students and their mentors: college preparatory sessions, community service, and recreational activities. And, when you get together on your own, you’ll do all kinds of things — playing sports, attending cultural events, volunteering together, exploring the city…or just talking on the phone.

What does it take? You don’t need any special skills to mentor a high school student. CPE mentors are ordinary people who want to spend quality time with young people in their community. People like you. Learn about CPE mentors and their students.

Unexpected rewards. CPE students aren’t the only ones who benefit from the mentoring relationship. As a mentor, you’ll meet new people, become involved with the community, and gain new perspectives.

How to get started. If you’re thinking about being a mentor, fill out the mentor application form and check our events calendar for the next three-hour mentor training workshop, where you’ll meet program staff and current mentors. CPE interviews all prospective mentors and conducts reference and background checks. Once you’ve been accepted as a mentor, we’ll match you with a student and provide ongoing feedback and support.

Want to learn more? Contact Regina Leslie, at (202) 682- 6020, ext. 226 or Regina@cpfe.org.