TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN OF SARASOTA COUNTY, INC.

P.O. Box 48186
Sarasota, FL 34230

Phone: 941-358-4407
Fax: 941-358-4410


TSIC Mentor Application (pdf)

Florida Prepaid Form for TSIC Seniors

Mentors

What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us. What we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.Albert Pine


Who was your mentor? 

Think back to when you were growing up; you were in school or beginning your first job.  Who was the person who always had an ear to listen and offered encouraging advice even when times were not so encouraging? Did you have an experienced friend always ready to help in any number of different situations?  That person was your mentor. 

Mentors are the key to the success of our students. Mentors can positively change a young person’s life.

 

Youth who meet regularly with mentors are:

  • 52% less likely to skip school

  • 46% less likely to use drugs

  • 33% less likely to get into fights

  • 27% less likely to drink alcohol

  • 37% less likely to skip a class

As a mentor, you:
  • Meet once a week with your student for an hour at his/her school.
  • Become a friend, guide and role model.
  • Assist your student in setting goals and attaining them.
  • Guide a child toward an education and to achieve their dreams.
  • Give a child hope for the future.

Good mentors are willing to take time to get to know their mentees, listen actively and empathize.

How do I become a mentor?

  • First, all potential Take Stock in Children mentors need to fill out an application.
  • Next, we will mail you a mentor packet with information about the program and all the forms you need to complete, including fingerprinting for a background screen.
  • Attend TSIC 101: Training and Orientation for New Mentors (please check calendar of events link on home page).
  • Once you complete an interview and your background screen is cleared, you will be contacted about a potential student match.
  • A student advocate will contact you to schedule your 1st meeting with your student.
  • During your 1st meeting, the student advocate will orient you to your student's school and sign in procedures, then introduce you to your student and help you coordinate the time you will meet with your student weekly. At this time, you will also receive a TSIC Mentor Toolkit with activities for you and your student on a variety of topics such as: goal setting, college and career planning plus icebreakers to help you get to know your mentee.

Benefits of Mentoring:

  • The rewards of guiding a youth and developing new skills.
  • The opportunity to help a youth succeed personally and academically.
  • Making a difference in someone else's life.
  • Learning about yourself.
  • Giving back and contributing to the future.