October 2007 through June 2008 (mentor training dates to be announced)
You can make an impact simply by spending a few hours every other week with a young person.... BE A MENTOR and be a friend and coach to a teen. Project PLAY (Peer Leadership Alternatives for Youth), a program of the Daly City Youth Health Center, is currently recruiting volunteer mentors. Mentors support high school aged youth by meeting for 2-3 hours every other week. Play sports together, go out to eat, look for jobs, create art, or participate in one of the fun activities organized each month by the program. Teens are talented, creative, and insightful young people who want an adult to help them achieve their goals. They are often struggling with meeting graduation requirements, relationships, and/or legal issues.

Past group activities have included bowling, poetry slams, Giant's games, shooting pool, high ropes, mural walks, barbecues/cookouts, museum visits, and movie nights. We're open to suggestions!

We are an ethnically and economically diverse area and we are always in need of mentors who represent our community. Latino and African-American men are especially needed in our program.

A few quotes from past youth and mentors:

"My mentor takes the time to talk and just listen. Just having someone there allowed me to be more focused on school."

"I thought that my mentor was going to be all about school. It turned out to be something better - she's there for me." - Youth Mentees;

"My goals, values, and attitudes are strengthened by guiding him and showing examples of how goals can be achieved." - Mentor.

This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in working with 15-18 year old youth! Future teachers, social workers, probation officers, and other youth workers will get great experience.

Volunteers must be at least 20 years old and are thoroughly screened by completing an application, informal interview, and fingerprint clearance. Volunteers attend a fun and interactive 5 week training (one Wednesday evening a week) prior to being matched with a youth. Training provides mentors with the tools necessary to successfully coach teens in the program. Both mentors and youth receive ongoing support from the Mentoring Program staff.

This opportunity is sponsored by: Daly City Youth Health Center

We need volunteers who are free at these times

Evenings Weekly Weekends

This volunteer opportunity is available to the following types of volunteers

Adults (26-54) Young Adults (18-25) Adults (55+)

Contact Person:
Lisa Chandler, Mentor Program Coordinator, (phone), (email)

View all agency contacts

Address:

2780 Junipero Serra Boulevard Daly City, CA 94015 (See a map)

Directions:

Located between 90th and 91st streets and between Junipero Serra Blvd. and Sullivan Avenue in the Civic Center area of Daly City.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Colma BART Station,   Walk distance (in minutes): 15 minutes   Nearest Bus Stop: Sam Trans #121 bus, 5 minutes minute walk

Web Site: http://www.dalycityyouth.org