The Juvenile Mentoring Program of the Montgomery County Youth Service Bureau had a great time together at 2024 Match Recognition Banquet. The group enjoyed some time “along the boardwalk” together, with a characturist, cotton candy machine and amazing breaded tenderloins. This event is always so fun to bring everyone together for an extra special time to celebrate another great year of matches and adventures.
The JUMP program matches an adult volunteer or a married couple with a Montgomery County youth who has similar interests. The goal of the program is for the volunteer to be a positive role model, be a friend to the child, and provide support and a listening ear. A mentor also does fun activities with their mentee to allow the child to experience new things that they might not have been able to try otherwise. These activities don’t have to be elaborate, most of our kids are happy to hang out and spend time with someone.
Mentoring has a huge impact on youth in our community, causing mentees to be more likely to succeed academically, become involved in their community, and go on to become mentors as adults.
The JUMP banquet is a yearly tradition but is just one activity that our mentors have enjoyed with their mentees this year. They have attended a bowling and laser tag party, put together drone kits, went to the movie theater, attended professional plays and musical productions, and watched professional basketball and baseball games, went to Malibu Jacks, and Dulls Tree Farm and there are many more adventures still planned with our matches.
The JUMP program is currently looking for volunteers to serve as mentors and youth in need of extra support who would like to participate as mentees. To learn more about becoming a mentor, contact sara@mcysb.org or call 765-362-0694, ext 102.
