UNO A UNO Mentoring Program-Volunteers in Providence Schools

The child’s needs, our goals

The complexity of today's society demands that responsibility for the
well-being of our children extends beyond home and school. Our survival
as a nation depends on how well we nurture and challenge our youth.
In the United States today, parents are the central source of emotional,
financial and social support for their children. However, sometimes a
more extensive support network is required to make certain that children
do not succumb to the many pressures and issues encountered daily among
their peers. Mentors can help supplement family support and provide
another stable presence for children of all ages.
Neighborhood schools are trying to help such students, but most schools
are overburdened. The one-to-one relationship with a mentor can help a
child with many problems that affect life at home and at school, such as a
lack of self-esteem, poor work habits, alienation, and lack of information
about the community and the world of work.

Origin of “Mentoring”

“ Mentoring” comes from mythology:
Ulysses asked his friend Mentor to counsel his son Telemachus.

What is a Mentor?

A Mentor is a positive, caring adult who spends quality time with a
youngster to make a change in his or her life. To be able to help a
child, a good mentor must do two things: make a connection with a child;
and use that connection to convey a message.
To make a connection means to gain the trust of the child and foster
mutual respect. The message is twofold: you are worth my time because
you are a valuable human being, and I can offer you ways to expand your
horizons and increase the likelihood of achieving success.

The Uno a Uno program...
What is Uno a Uno?

Uno a Uno is a mentoring program created specifically for 4th and 5th grade Hispanic students enrolled in the Providence public schools who are struggling academically and socially. Hispanic students make up 60% of our student population and they lag behind other groups in academic performance. The goals of Uno a Uno are to help these children close the educational achievement gap and succeed academically and socially.

Can you help? Mentors may be Hispanic or non-Hispanic. If interested please call, Sue Thomas, at 732-7700 x 111.
If you would like additional information, please contact:
Volunteers in Providence Schools
905 Westminster Street • Providence, RI 02903
Tel: (401) 274-3240 • Fax: (401) 277-9090
E-mail: vips@vips4kids.org