Frequently Asked Questions

What is Project Mentor?

Project Mentor is a plan designed to boost the Columbus Public School system's high school graduation rate from 72.9% in 2006 to 90% or higher by 2012. The goal is to transform Columbus Public Schools (CPS) and ultimately Central Ohio's community — one child at a time. Learn More »

How often does mentoring take place?

Mentors meet weekly with their child for about an hour during or immediately after school. Investing one hour a week in a child is a powerful investment we each need to make. Learn More »

What do the mentor and the student do together?

Within the guidelines of the Project Mentor program, mentors may choose to work with the child on schoolwork, homework, computer skills or just share an afternoon snack and talk about their day. Mentors are trained and coached up front and throughout the mentoring relationship. Learn More »

Which children in each school will be mentored?

Columbus Public Schools now has a 72.9% graduation rate. Students most likely to benefit from the program are the next 20 to 25% of students that need a little extra help to achieve graduation. Students are referred to the program by teachers or counselors and must have parental consent and be willing to participate.

How do the children benefit?

Mentors help youth develop proactive factors that increase their chances of being successful at school and in life. Big Brothers Big Sisters' School-Based Mentoring program allows mentors and students to form relationships that focus on building blocks of healthy development — known as the Search Institute's Developmental Assets — that help young people grow up healthy, caring and responsible. Areas of development include academic performance, self-esteem, caring attitudes and social competencies. By helping students, mentors increase the likelihood that they will graduate from high school.

Why is this a good investment for the community?

Reaching the Project Mentor goal would result in a positive economic impact, based on the costs generally associated with dropouts, such as increased incarceration, social services and health services. Converting potential dropouts into graduates also produces greater employability and increased earning power. Learn More »

How does the volunteer process work?

Volunteers are interviewed, enrolled, approved and provided with up-front training from Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Mentoring Center of Central Ohio. BBBS Program Coordinators are on-site whenever voluteers are on-site to provide case management, support and supervision for matches. Learn More »

Who are possible volunteers?

Many businesses will encourage their employees to mentor and "adopt" a school. Employers that support employee mentoring find great appreciation and satisfaction from their employees for supporting them in helping kids.

Other mentors include people from service organizations, retirement organizations, faith-based organizations and of course individuals in the community at large. Join us today!

What about volunteer diversity?

Volunteer diversity will be an important aspect of volunteer recruitment. Leaders from the African American, Hispanic and Somali communities need to be an integral part of recruitment leadership and volunteer participation.