Juvenile Mentoring Program Grant

First Lady Hilary Rodham Clinton announces $200,000 grant to help local mentoring program United States Attorney General Janet Reno joins in White House announcement

Wednesday, February 03, 1999 – 0900 – (Fremont, CA) At a White House press conference yesterday, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton announced a $200,000 grant from the United States Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Department, to support the local mentoring efforts of the Fremont-based non-profit organization, Students In Business, Inc.

The grant is one of 73 that were awarded nationally, from a single round of awards totaling $14 million, and is provided under the Justice Department’s Juvenile Mentoring Program (JUMP). JUMP uses mentoring as a tool to keep young people in schools and off the streets. Adults are matched on a one-to-one basis with youth at-risk of failing in school, dropping out, or otherwise getting into trouble.

Students In Business, Inc. has been assisting school districts and their communities in implementing successful mentoring programs since 1992. The non-profit organization matches middle school and high school students with adult mentors to assist the students in achieving personal, academic and career exploration goals.

The JUMP grant will support a school-based, three-year program that will serve 135 youth, ages 12-14, attending Winton Middle School in Hayward, CA. The mentoring program will address issues related to academic performance, school dropout rates, drug & alcohol abuse, violent or disruptive behavior and gang activity.

Adults who devote their time can make a huge difference in the lives of young people. In addition to helping with academic and social skills, mentors give youth the message that they are important and have something to contribute. – First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton

A Mentor Site Coordinator will work closely with teachers, administrators and counselors to select participants who would most likely benefit from having a mentor.

Students In Business, Inc. will gather support for the program from among community stakeholders including business, local government and school administrators who will develop public policy and long-term funding strategies for mentoring as well as provide financial support and mentor connections. Mentors help students understand that life is a series of choices and consequences. If students are unhappy with the consequences they face, the mentors demonstrate that positive choices produce different and better consequences. This program provides local employers with a wonderful opportunity for their employees to get involved with the community and be this kind of role model. – Robert D. Goetsch, Executive Director, Students In Business, Inc.

Students In Business, Inc. is a recognized Bay Area leader in developing and implementing sustainable mentoring programs. SIB-initiated mentoring programs incorporate the California Mentor Initiative’s Ten Quality Assurance Standards, identified as critical to ensuring the success of a mentoring program and providing safe environments for students.

Mentors Needed Now!

Argus, February 20, 1999

Are you a responsible adult who can spend a few hours a month mentoring a young student?

I recently received an urgent call from Cecilia Chang, who is the Community Liaison/Recruiter for The Mentor Project. The Mentor Project is sponsored by Students in Business, a non-profit community-based organization that brings schools, businesses and government together to initiate and coordinate student mentoring.

The Mentor Project currently has dozens of students who need mentors. These students have "self-selected" themselves to participate in this program because they are serious about wanting to take advantage of this great opportunity. Unfortunately, The Mentor Project has not been able to locate enough mentors to meet the student demand.

The purpose of the mentoring relationship is to help students develop their full potential, both inside and outside of the classroom. The mentor becomes a role model providing academic help, career advice, emotional support and social skill development.

Mentors can have a very positive influence on one's life. They can open up new avenues of thought, knowledge, communication, motivation, friendship and problem resolution. They can also help young people steer clear of influences such as drug abuse, alcoholism, gang membership, crime and negative peer pressure. The short term and long term benefits of having a mentor are simply unlimited. If you are over 21 years of age and you have something to offer a young person, you should consider becoming a mentor. You don't have to be working in a special profession to become a mentor. You simply have to be a responsible man or woman who is genuinely interested in making a difference in one young person's life. People who are interested in becoming a mentor must complete an application and must pass a background check and a tuberculosis test before being accepted.

Mentors should be available to spend between four and six hours per month with a student for one academic school year. The Mentor Project matches mentors with students who may have common goals and interests. The students involved in the program are middle school and high school ages. The Mentor Project holds large first time meetings so mentors can meet and get to know their students, as well as general monthly meetings where all the mentors and students can socialize.

The Students In Business Mentor Project has been fortunate to receive sponsorship and support from many local public and private organizations such as Aspect Telecommunications, BFI, Fremont Bank, The City of Fremont, The Fremont Unified School District and Quantum Corporation.

Just as a small monetary investment made at a young age can multiply into hundreds of thousands of dollars over time, a small investment of time and energy into another person's future can yield great social and professional dividends. When that other person is a young student, the total return on the investment can become all the more impressive and important.

I encourage members of the community to support and participate in this outstanding program. People who are interested in this program may contact Cecilia Chang at

510/ 795-6488 X 6175.

By Mike Nottoli / reprinted from The Argus, 2/20/99.