Protege
Ruth Saks, Protégé Coordinator
610-834-1040 ext.21
lynnes@rsvpmc.org

What is Protégé Mentoring Project?
Developed in 1996, Protégé matches senior volunteers as one-on-one mentors to elementary, middle, and high school children whose potential is unrealized.

What is a Mentor?
According to the National Mentoring Partnership, “a mentor is an adult who, along with parents, provides young people with support, counsel, friendship, reinforcement and constructive example. Mentors are good listeners, people who care, people who want to help young people bring out strengths that are already there.”

What a Mentor is not:
A savior
A foster parent
A therapist
A “cool friend”
A tutor

How is a match made?
School personnel refer children who are then interviewed to assess their needs before being matched. All potential volunteer mentors are interviewed, screened, and trained. Protégé works closely with the youth, the school, and the parent to provide just the right match for each young person and adult. The Protégé Coordinator provides ongoing support for the youth and mentor.

Where and when do Mentors and youth meet?
Protégé mentors from all over the county work with students from 7 school districts in Montgomery County: Abington, Cheltenham, Lower Merion, Methacton, North Penn, Norristown, and Pottstown. While many mentors only meet with their youth for as little as one hour per week at school, some mentors see their young person primarily at school with an occasional meeting outside of school. A few mentors and children only see each other out in the community for several hours every month on activities that the child and mentor choose together such as: going to the movies, taking walks, going out to eat, attending sporting or cultural events, and just plain “hanging out.”

What do youth, families and mentors say?
“The best thing about working with Francine is the joy I seem to impart to her. She values a 'grandmother' figure in her life. This brings me great joy.”-Jackie (mentor)

“My mentor has been great!! He changed me totally as a person cause he cares about me”-Anthony

“Thank you for giving me back my daughter.”- Parent

“I think mentors are great and I am proud and happy to have Janice as my mentor.”-Tiffany

“We talked about having a good attitude, and of being kind and considerate. We also talked about the importance of community; respecting neighbors and being a helper.”-Morris (mentor)

“I would like to say that having a mentor has changed my life for the best”-Andre

“My mentor has helped me become a man and influenced me to go to college.”- Kevin (now a sophomore in college)

“My mentor has helped me achieve more and do better in school.”- Anthony

“My mentor, Catherine, is very kind-hearted and she is easy to talk to.”- Ashley

“I have enjoyed getting to know Dion. I value our relationship. We have both grown and each of us has learned from the other. We respect each other.”-Elizabeth (mentor)

“Nia’s relationship with Mrs. W was a wonderful thing to experience. They are both very fond of each other and Mrs. W has helped Nia make better choices regarding her peer relationships and to behave in a positive and respectful manner to others.”- Mrs. B (school counselor)

Other information:
Protégé has served more than 200+ children in the last 8 years. Many mentors and their youth continue to see each other year after year.

Examples of matches:
Retired chemist, Dr. Martin V. has met with John, now a 9th grader, for four years. John had failed 6th grade when the match began and had to repeat. John, who lives with his mother and sister and has no contact with his father, is very bright but had poor organizational skills that Martin set about helping him improve. Martin reports that he and John have “talked about skills needed to get good grades are the same skills needed to do well on the job.” John wants to be an engineer and is on the high school football team. Martin has taken him to the Franklin Institute, Temple football games and a 76er’s game. Martin says, “John and I have established a close relationship in the four years we have been together. It has been especially rewarding to see him progress from a 6th grader with poor grades to a teenager consistently on the honor role.” John says, “My mentor and I have a bond that is mutual.”

Maria is a 14 -year-old 9th grader whose mother lives out of town. Her grandmother, with whom she lived and who was a reliable influence on her, died three years ago. Maria has been shuffled between her father and uncle’s houses. Her father, though loving, is unreliable and neglectful. . Her mentor, Susan has been meeting with Maria for over 2 years. Susan has worked with the guidance counselor to try to get Maria’s living condition stabilized Maria is comfortable discussing her problems with Susan and says that she would go to Susan for any advice. Maria is working hard and wants to go to college. Josh, 15, was matched with his mentor, Charles, four years ago. Josh was referred because he is bright with leadership abilities but was a child who had a temper. The guidance counselor felt he was a child on the fence. He has no father and needed a strong male figure to keep him on the right track. Charles is a community leader and is involved with the Boy Scouts. He has gotten Josh involved in the Boy Scouts and has been an advocate for him at school. Josh was elected to student government and his teachers report that he is a talented poet and doing well academically.

Tom is a 5th grader in Abington. His foster mother who also cares for several other foster and adopted children recently adopted him. Tom had been seeing his parents on a regular basis, but now that has been terminated. Tom has the potential to be studious and does well socially. He has no male figure in his life. Gil is a retired insurance broker who is concerned about young children who need father figures. He says “he wants to be able to create a positive relationship with a young person who needs guidance and friendship.” Gil meets weekly with Tom at school and also spends time with him outside of school, sometimes including his wife on outings. Tom’s adoptive mother says, “Tom really enjoys meeting with Gil. He is a good part of his life.”

There is a great need for both men and women mentors. All you need to be a mentor is a big heart, some time, and the ability to listen.