ABOUT US
Chaffee County Mentors is committed to providing youth guidance, support, and friendship through positive mentoring relationships.
Chaffee County Mentors is modeled after Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and was founded in 2003 through a collaboration of Chaffee County Health and Human Services, Build a Generation, and Salida and Buena Vista School Districts. In 2006, we joined forces with Nurturing Parenting and Youth at Crossroads to form Family & Youth Initiatives (FYI), a prevention branch of Chaffee County Health & Human Services. Under FYI, our research-based mentoring programs have evolved to meet the unique needs of our community. Keep reading to find out more ….
Community-Based Mentoring
Traditional Mentoring
Modeled after Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Traditional Mentoring provides one-on-one friendships to approximately 40 local youth ages 7 to 15. Volunteer adult mentors are matched with referred youth and serve as positive role models, supporters, and advocates. Youth are referred by teachers, counselors, social workers, and other youth professionals and may be facing challenges academically, socially, or economically. Volunteer mentors must be at least 21 years in age, have a genuine interest in young people, participate in pre-match screening and training, and commit to the program for at least one year. Mentors and kids have the opportunity to participate in monthly group activities and other structured benefits throughout the Chaffee County area. In addition to mentors, volunteers are always needed to support group activities. Contact Program Manager, Eleanor Fahrney, at 395-7006 in Buena Vista or Program Coordinator, Heather Barron, at 539-2630 in Salida to find out more.
Family to Family Mentoring
Youth are supported best when parents feel supported and empowered. Family to Family Mentoring, started in 2007, matches adult volunteers (often couples with life experience) with parents who could benefit from the support of another family. Volunteers must be at least 21 years of age and have the desire and ability to walk along side another family through life’s challenges. Contact Program Manager, Eleanor Fahrney, at 395-7006 in Buena Vista or Program Coordinator, Heather Barron, at 539-2630 in Salida to find out more.
Mentors Plus
Mentors Plus was initiated in 2008 as an additional intervention for youth ages 14 to 18 who are already involved in a higher level of support in our community (such as Youth@Crossroads, Probation, or Health & Human Services). Each youth is matched with a mentor with previous experience working with adolescents and who is able to spend up to 6 hours per week with their mentee for a commitment of a year. Mentors+ collaborate with parents/schools/therapists/caseworkers/probation officers and others to work towards mutually agreed upon goals. Interventions are strengths-based and solution-focused to strengthen resiliency, break barriers, and encourage change. Want to better understand the differences between Traditional Mentoring and Mentors Plus? Click here. For more info, contact Mentors Plus Program Manager, Menessah Nelson, at 719-539-8659.
School-Based Mentoring
Youth In Action
Youth in Action, initiated in January 2005, empowers middle school students as literacy mentors for pre-school students through a weekly after-school curriculum. We meet Mondays in Buena Vista and Wednesdays in Salida and participate in activities such as reading, crafts, field trips, games, and guest speakers. Pre-schoolers are signed up by their parents at the start of each school year. Space is limited to 12 youth in BV and 8 youth in Salida. Throughout the year, parents are invited to the last meeting of each month to join in celebrating that month’s theme. Middle school students must be recommended by a teacher and complete an application and 6-hour training prior to being matched. They also attend fun on-going trainings and field trips through the year. Contact Eleanor Fahrney at 719-395-7006 in Buena Vista or 719-539-2630 in Salida to find out more.