What is Mentoring?

A one-on-one relationship between caring young adults and children who can benefit from some guidance.

What is a Mentor?

A mentor is not a hero, social worker or substitute parent. A Mentor is a stable, consistent adult whose role is to listen and to gently guide the child, providing them with a positive role model.

Why aren't Parents enough?

Since many children see their Parents as an authority figure, it is often difficult to confide with them. A Mentor provides sensible, non-judgmental guidance in a less intimidating setting.

How do Mentors help?

The mentored student knows that there is someone they can share their fears and hopes with. This raises their confidence and self-esteem.

• TOVA’s goal is that every young person who needs one can have a quality one-on-one mentor in a long-lasting relationship.
  
• Serving Children in Grades 2-8
  
• Children meet with their mentors once a week for at least 45 minutes.
  
• Relationships are constantly monitored by our dedicated program director
  
• Family Case Management- Monthly contact with the mentee's family to evaluate the status of the mentor/mentee relationship.
• Just under 30 children already enrolled in TOVA since its inception in 2009.
  
• Each mentor is carefully screened by our program director, trained, and supervised before being paired with a Mentee.
  
• Mentors are hired to meet with the children; each Mentor is paid, by Project TOVA, $20 per 45 minute session, per child.
  

How TOVA works:

Students within the respective schools are identified by teachers or administration as “needing extra attention”, for academic failure, emotional distress, family issues or any other comparably marginal issues. These children are then referred to the Project TOVA program director for a screening and needs assessment; should the child’s needs exceed those able to be provided by TOVA appropriate referrals are made. Once a meeting has been had with both the Parents and Child, the child is then paired with a hired Mentor.  Mentors are often dynamic and engaging personalities steeped in Torah observance but sufficiently familiar with contemporary teen culture to relate and allow for an open exchange with their mentees. Mentors review progress with our program director on a regular basis for questions/ suggestions. The time between a Mentor and Student is spent however the Student chooses – playing ball, going for a walk in the park, picking up a slice of pizza, or going bowling.

Schools currently being Serviced by TOVA Queens

• Bais Yaakov of Queens
  
• Bnos Malka
  
• Yeshiva Tifereth Moshe
  
• Yeshiva Ketana of Queens
  
• Yeshiva of Central Queens