LEWISTON – Kick-off breakfasts will be held in the area to introduce a new mentoring program, Mentoring Students in Transition, which is a strategy to assist youth, ages 16 to 21, in the transition from school to work.

A mentor will support and guide them through career development by helping the students define their life and career goals and by providing a positive role model and building a friendship.

The Child Health Center’s Big Brothers Big Sisters has joined with His Place Teen Center in Oxford and Maine Mentoring Partnership to bring together local businesses, churches, police departments, town managers, school personnel, legislators and other community members throughout Androscoggin, Oxford and Franklin counties for youth development.

The center invites all who are interested in learning more about mentoring a young person in career development to a breakfast at one of the locations listed below.

• Thursday, Sept. 9, South Paris Career Center next to Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School; call 743-7035 to RSVP.

• Thursday, Sept. 16, LaFleur’s Restaurant, Route 4, Jay; call 562-8193 to RSVP.

• Thursday, Sept. 23, Lewiston Career Center; call 782-5437 to RSVP.

The events will be held from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. John Jenkins will speak on “Mentoring in the 21st Century.” His talk will be followed by mentor training for all interested volunteers. Each event is limited to 40.

Many of the young people involved in the program have not had a positive role model in their lives. When asked what they want in a mentor, their frequent reply is, “A friend, someone I can talk to.”

Volunteer mentors will spend a minimum of four hours a month with a youth who shares their interests. Mentors are encouraged to build a friendship with their mentee by establishing a trusted relationship while encouraging them to identify and develop skills to help accomplish career goals.