The Center for Leadership and Service has ramped up its promotion of UF’s four student-run mentoring programs, causing a spike in interest from UF students.
The programs, which involve UF students mentoring at-risk children from 11 local schools, are anticipated to expand this year from about 370 mentors to more than 400, said Daniel Sibol, the community engagement coordinator for the center.
Sibol said he was expecting an increase in student interest but was still surprised by the number of people who attended the first information session Thursday. Usually only about 60 students come.
“We had more than 150 people there,” he said. “That’s the best kind of response we have ever seen from the community.”
Sibol cited the beefed-up mentoring program promotions as the reason for the boost in student interest.
“I think we have made some very intentional efforts this year to do more targeted outreach — to reach out to students we think would be receptive to our message and be interested in joining our programs,” he said.
The center used email, social media, electronic newsletters and an expanded executive board to get the word out.
Students can volunteer for one of the four student-run mentoring programs: After School Gators, Project MASCOT, Motiv8 and Gator Teens Mentors.
Project MASCOT Director Caitlyn LoMonte, a UF advertising and women’s studies major, said the programs are becoming so popular because they are more than just a volunteering experience, especially for freshmen.
“It’s a great way to not only give back to at-risk students but also to become more involved in the Gainesville community,” she said.
Karlee Swisher, a UF nursing freshman, is one of the many students applying to be a part of the programs.
Swisher wants to volunteer for Gator Teens Mentors, which reaches out to at-risk high school students.
“I didn’t have anyone to listen to me when I was younger, and I want to be that person for someone,” she said.
Additional information sessions will be held today and Thursday at 6 p.m.
A version of this story ran on page 9 on 9/4/2013 under the headline "Mentor programs at UF get promoted"
