TIME for ME Mentoring Program

Did you know that approximately 1,300 children come through the doors of Ryves Youth Center each year, where Catholic Charities provides help and creates hope for all children in need? This number is growing every year and continues to reveal the needs of our youth in Terre Haute. This growing need is a continual reminder of the many different ways we can make a positive impact on a child’s life.

TIME for Me, a Trauma Informed Mentoring Program at Ryves Youth Center, is a new opportunity where girls and boys, ages 9-17, are matched with approved Catholic Charities volunteer mentors.

Studies show that mentoring underprivileged youth not only improves their academic performance, chances of going to college and ability to get a quality job, but also contributes to their development and the well being of the community. Children who are mentored are less likely to drop out of school or enter the juvenile justice system.

Thanks to a prestigious grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), TIME for Me at Ryves Youth Center fosters one-on-one relationships on-site for two hours a week for 12 months.

Would you please prayerfully consider becoming a mentor to our children at Ryves Youth Center? We encourage any professional background [especially those with a special focus on STEM – Science, Engineering, Technology and Math], retired individuals or college students to apply.

Our dedicated mentors support youth in areas like:

• Pursuing professional goals
• Encouraging dreams
• Providing hope
• Encouraging success
• Strengthening self-esteem
• Asset-Strengthening

The process of becoming a mentor is fairly simple and works in two parts:

• The initial requirements that need to be completed before working with our youth. Mentor applicants need to complete:
• Volunteer Application Form, which can be found online at www.ccthin.org
• Online Safe and Sacred Training and Background Check

• After completing phase one, we will contact you about completing a mentor application as well as scheduling a brief interview to best match you with a child.

As a requirement of our grant, training will be provided on Trauma Informed Care Mentoring to you in order to help you be the best mentor for your child.

TIME for Me Mentoring Program provides on-going support and supervision for both mentors and mentees. For more information and/or to register for an orientation, please contact Juhi Beri, Mentor Coordinator at Ryves Youth Center, at 812-235-1265 or jberi@ccthin.org.