College mentor program seeks volunteers

For four years, the College Mentors for Kids program has exposed local elementary-aged students to ISU's campus through various volunteer activities. "We help at-risk first, second and third graders," said College Mentors for Kids president and senior criminology major, Jessica Wilmot. "We bus the kids to ISU to expose them to the campus." A goal for the mentors is to inform the kids about higher education, culture and diversity Wilmot said. "Sometimes we have professors come and speak to the kids." There are many activities that the program involves the kids in. Some of these activities include the mentors reading the students a book of the week, and taking first graders on a tour of the library. "One year we had a volunteer chemistry professor come in and do 'magic tricks' for the kids," Wilmot said. "The professor let the students help out and make Gak." In the past, they've had their "little buddies" pick trash up around campus in an effort toward community service. This organization has been around since 1995, when it started in Bloomington. Now it is state-wide with 19 chapters. The ISU Chapter started four years ago. The students that the ISU chapter help all come from Deming Elementary School. "We have thirty little buddies and thirty mentors," said Wilmot. The group is trying to raise money to provide snacks and transportation in hope that more kids will join them. "This program provides stability, not only for the kids we are helping, but for the mentors as well," Wilmot said. ISU students can benefit from being a college mentor. Not only are they being exposed to different parts of campus, but Wilmot said the college students can gain great experience in being a role model, and going to leadership sessions. "It is a chance to give back," said Wilmot. She said that students who join the College Mentors for Kids are more likely to move on to join more non-profit organizations. There are also internship opportunities during the summer for mentors. However, College Mentors for Kids is strictly volunteer. "The only requirement is to be dedicated to come two hours a week," Wilmot said. They meet every Monday from 2:30 to 4:45 p.m. in the Hulman Memorial Student Union. "We need more guys to join the group," Wilmot said. She said that the students "flock to the guys" the most, and they only have a couple male volunteers. "The guys are highly out numbered." Training to be a mentor starts on Oct. 2, but the group would like to have all the applications in by Sept. 15. To apply to be a mentor, contact Jessica Wilmot at jwilmot@mymail.indstate.edu or Bethany Naughgle at bnaughgle@mymail.indstate.edu.