Spring Branch ISD Featured News

Collegiate Challenge and SpringBoard are two mentoring programs coordinated by the Spring Branch ISD Community Relations office. More than 500 adults from the community and SBISD partner organizations invest time each week with their mentees, but many more students are waiting for this gift of time.

 

SBISD is seeking new SpringBoard mentors to spend 30-60 minutes each week with an SBISD student (grades 3-12) to encourage, set goals, address school and home issues, play games, and provide the gift of hope for a bright future. Research affirms that young people thrive with the consistent presence of a caring adult serving as a role model, advocate and friend.

 

To become a SpringBoard mentor, volunteers will first register as a mentor for the 2018-2019 school year, and then attend one New Mentor Training. Once these steps are completed, the SpringBoard Mentor Team will arrange for the mentor to be matched with a student “on the brink of success.”

 

Mentors report that while helping a student was their original motivation for getting involved in the program, the relationship has also made a positive impact on them.

 

“Meeting with my mentee is a bright spot in each week,” said one mentor on a recent satisfaction survey. “I have learned a lot from him!”

 

The Collegiate Challenge program targets juniors and seniors who want help with college planning and the college/financial aid application processes. Mentors help juniors in the spring semester with essay writing, crafting résumés, and planning to which colleges applications will be made in the fall of their senior year.

 

Historically, Collegiate Challenge mentors in SBISD guide their mentees to applying for and receiving more than $1 million in scholarships.

 

Mentors in this program meet with students as a group once a week for 60-90 minutes, depending on the high school. Some Collegiate Challenge sessions are during the morning hours, others meet in the afternoon or evening.

 

New Collegiate Challenge mentors are needed to help seniors this fall with college and scholarship applications, and then transition to assist a new group of juniors in the spring semester. Please contact mentor@springbranchisd.com or 713-251-2302 to learn how you can get involved.