NORWAY – The Child Health Center is looking for interested individuals to become positive role models for children in the elementary and middle schools throughout Androscoggin County.

Since 1998 the Child Health Center has been teaming with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America to provide mentoring opportunities in Oxford, Androscoggin, southern Franklin and northern Cumberland counties. The two organizations are leaders in one-to-one youth service, but they cannot provide the service without the support of community members who volunteer as mentors.

Mentors meet with a child for one hour a week at their school. During this time mentors help their mentee with schoolwork, engage in activities and spend time talking and forming a strong bond.

This is a site-based program and, unlike traditional Big Brothers Big Sisters matches, mentors meet during the school year only; there is no summer commitment.

Every year the schools identify more children in need of a mentor than the number of mentors available. Each mentor works with a mentor coordinator to ensure that the match goes smoothly and the coordinator will be available to help work through any problems that may arise.

Research in Maine has shown that children who are involved in mentoring programs are more likely than children not involved the programs, to show positive behaviors in school and at home.

Those involved in mentoring also demonstrated an increase in self-confidence and an improvement in their school performance.

Anyone interested in becoming a mentor should contact the Big Brothers Big Sisters office at 743-7035 in Oxford County.