The program trains high school students in effective mentoring, coaching and leadership skills. High school juniors and seniors use these acquired skills when they begin to mentor an incoming 9th grader that is assigned to them by the MentorCares™ coordinator. The goals of this program are to:
- Positively affect the life of the 9th graders and set them up for success as they begin their high school careers.
- Provide juniors and seniors with mentoring, leadership and life skills that will be useful throughout their personal
and professional lives. - Provide training to fortify today’s youth and adults with marketable skills to take into the workplace and provide a training ground that nurtures self-confidence, personal responsibility and a passion for serving others.
- Teach the concept of volunteerism by having the younger students give back as mentors when they reach their junior and/or senior year.
The program is focused on the one-to-one relationship betweenthe mentor and their mentee.The mentor agrees to meet with his/her mentee for a minimum of2 hours per month. 
He/shealso agrees to attend annual events centered on the four MentorCares™ themes. The interactive and "fun based" annual events are aligned with the following themes:
- Building Leadership Skills
- Building Life Skills
- Exploring Career Opportunities
- Celebrating Volunteerism
A caring adult is assigned to each pair of young people to assist, guide and nurture the relationship. The adult works with the pair to teach and coach them on the LeadershipCares 12 and 12.
Adults volunteers receive mentor training that can also be used to help them become more effective supervisors and managers in their workplace. The adults offer guidance in career exploration, career development and "hands on" leadership skills as they work with the young people planning and organizing the annual events.
Expectations and Commitment:
Young People (9th Grader/Juniors and Seniors):
- Attendance at annual One-Day Leadership Conference
- Meet as a team for two hours per month with their adult coach
- Participation in three of the four annual events
- Attendance at official orientation and training session
- Attendance and participation at annual One-Day Leadership Conference
- Meet two hours per month with their assigned pair of young people
- Participation in three of the four annual events
