U&I Mentoring

The U&I Mentoring program, in partnership with Quincy Public Schools, pairs recent immigrant middle-schoolers with high school mentors to support them in their academic progress, prepare for the transition to high school, and adapt to life in the U.S. with a healthy biculturalism. The goal of the program is to foster empowering youth relationships between recent immigrant mentees and their high school mentors. Entrusted with the unique responsibilities found in their role as mentors, our high school volunteers not only learn communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills, they also gain marketable capital that will be invaluable to their future.

 
 

Program Information

 

  • Mentoring is an intentional relationship built on mutual trust between a young person and a caring individual. Mentors listen, support, guide, and encourage their mentees. The mentoring relationship helps mentees build self-confidence, belonging in community, and academic performance. The program offers opportunities for mentors to learn about the challenges of the immigrant community, develop leadership skills, and build relationships with other mentors.

  • The program organizes field trips to provide opportunities for the mentors and mentees to interact outside of the school. Activities like ice skating, bowling, and museums encourage new experiences, friendships, and most importantly, having fun with everyone. Field trips to Boston museums and other locations expose them to the culture of Massachusetts.

  • At the end of the year celebration, we showcase the accomplishments of the mentees and mentors. The mentees are given the opportunity to present the skills and projects they have developed through the program. The event is also a thank you for all who have supported the program and its youth.

  • High school juniors and senior volunteers interested in U&I can apply to serve one school year as a mentor. Applications start at the beginning of the school year. After the interview and selection process, accepted mentors receive training about the program goals, expectations and responsibilities. QPS middle school faculty chooses the mentees to participate in the program. There is an orientation session for the parents of the mentees in the fall. The program starts by late Fall after the U&I Mentoring Program Coordinator creates mentoring pairs through a matching process.

 

 FOR MORE INFORMATION, YOU CAN CONTACT ANGELA CHEN, YOUTH PROGRAMS LEAD AT ANGELAYC@QUINCYASIANRESOURCES.ORG