No child should be on a waitlist.
The Bay County Chamber of Commerce is calling on local business leaders to actively commit to mentoring in schools. Through school-based mentoring programs like Elevate Bay, New Horizons Learning Center Mentor Program, Take Stock in Children and others, the Chamber believes that the business community can have significant short- and long-term benefits for area youths.
In June, the Chamber release a resolution encouraging business leaders to actively commit to mentoring in schools. You can read that resolution here.
Below you will find information on three school-based mentoring programs.
Elevate Bay – (850) 767-4128
Website | Email | Application
Thirty minutes, twice per month during the school day, on campus, serving non charter Bay District Schools Elementary, Middle and High School students.
Elevate Bay serves numerous schools; the coordinator tries to match mentors with a location convenient for them. Orientation/training is provided.
There is flexibility in the program – mentors can be matched one on one (Lunch buddy or one on one in the classroom) or mentors can be in a classroom to work with a small group.
New Horizons – (850) 767-1130
Website | Email | Application
Thirty minutes to one hour, at least three times per month from 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. New Horizons Learning Center is for special-needs students in sixth grade through high school.
Mentors meet with their student in the Mentor Room where water, juice and light snacks are available. Some stay there to talk, play board games, read, etc. Some choose to go to the library, the cafeteria, the outdoor basketball court, or anywhere on the school grounds. An orientation is provided at the school. More information and the application can be found on the website.
Take Stock in Children – (850) 767-4280
Website | Email | Application
State of Florida High School mentoring program that offers college scholarship: Mentoring sessions are two visits per month at 30 minutes each. Students are ninth grade and up and have met specific criteria for GPA, financial need, attendance, and behavior.
Mentoring can occur at school or through a provided APP via a video call or text chat. In-person visits happen during lunch. Mentors set up the schedule and choose the school. A mentor orientation and toolkit is provided. Bay Education Foundation staff engage with Mentors to reach student success.
Students who complete the high school program requirements earn a post-secondary scholarship. Co-mentoring and Team/Group mentoring options are also available.