FUPTP Mentors: Positive Role Models at Work

Mentors, who are between the ages of 15 and 20 years, are an important part of the FUPTP program. Their role is to help implement the curriculum and to be responsible for a small group of mentees. Positive teen role models are important to the program because it shows the mentees that staying out of gangs, off drugs and not becoming a teen parent is beneficial. In order to become a mentor, they must be non-pregnant and non-parenting, have a GPA of at least 2.0, go through an intensive training period of four weeks, pass a written exam, and be interviewed by current mentors and staff. Nikia W., Laamecia T. and Terence B. are three mentors who are a part of FUPTP's summer program. While each one has been with FUPTP for different periods of time, they have similar thoughts about FUPTP.

Nikia, who started in May, is the newest mentor. She decided to become a mentor because she, "wanted to help younger people and to make a difference in someone else's life." The mentees have made a big impression on Nikia. "It was fun to see kids enjoying the program, they really wanted to be there, and they were serious about the subject matter," she said.

Laamecia has been with FUPTP since last September. She became a mentor because she likes working with kids and interacting with peers. "Being a mentor has taught me a lot. I have better communication skills, and have found more creative ways to do things in school. For example, when I give a speech, I now make it more interesting." Laamecia especially enjoys watching the excitement and participation of the mentees over the topics they discuss.

Terence has been with FUPTP since 1993. For three years he was a mentee, and last fall became a mentor. As a mentee, Terence learned a great deal and now wants to give back to FUPTP by teaching others the information he found so helpful. His decision to become a mentor was based on his experiences as a mentee. Terence explained that "the mentors treated this as more than a job. They were sincere and honest [with mentees]. They helped to boost self-esteem by showing that kids are important." Terence believes that "even though teens are stereotyped [as bad], you don't have to be that way. You have the power to change the stereotypes and be your own person."

The power to be your own person is not an easy thing to do, but the mentors do an excellent job of getting this point across. It is this type of leadership that takes our mentees and mentors far, and we appreciate their hard work!