County seeking mentors to help change the lives of juveniles

Volunteers can help teens stay out of incarceration

Boulder County, Colo. – Boulder County is looking for volunteers willing to dedicate their time on a weekly basis to help local teens achieve positive life changes.

The Boulder County Community Services Mentor Program is seeking adults who can work well with teens, be a positive role model, and commit to three hours of mentoring per week. Volunteer time essentially consists of activities enjoyed by participants, whether it is going to a ballgame, watching a movie or just grabbing a bite to eat.

The Mentor Program matches adults and juveniles one-on-one in order to provide youths with enduring links to positive supports in the community. Adult role models provide the teens with a unique support relationship that can promote the development of positive assets and reduce the likelihood of recidivism. Mentors also provide individual attention that separates teens from the potential influences of higher-risk peers.

Volunteers are required to complete training and commit to mentor a teen for one year. The training will be held in the evenings on Oct. 11 and 12. Mentors will meet with their teens once a week for 2-3 hours according to a flexible schedule that meets their needs and the schedule of their mentees. Mentors can plan activities that meet their interests; current mentoring pairs have participated in activities such as pottery painting, horseback riding, dance classes and movies.

All prospective mentors must pass a criminal background check. The deadline for applications is Oct. 5. For application information and additional details, contact the Justice System Volunteer Program at 303-441-3718 or abrubacher@bouldercounty.org.