Dear Readers:

No; this is not an appeal for money – it is a request for your time and heart.

Due to the current financial situation and the strain that it’s putting on families, the numbers of parents requesting teen mentors are running twice what they were previously. (Click here for info about our teen-mentoring program and click here to view a short video about the work of Project YES, where you can get a better feel for our mentoring program.)

At this moment, there are over 80 children (far more boys than girls) waiting anxiously for Big Brothers.

That means that their parents broke a huge barrier and reached out for help. They were interviewed by our Project YES staff and screened for compatibility with the range of prospective mentors. Now their parents are waiting … for you, or someone you know, to take an hour a week (1 hour out of 168 hours in a week) to help save their child.

On Wednesday, Esther Gross, who heads our mentoring program, informed me that one of the more than 80 kids waiting for mentors is being raised by a single mom who recently developed a serious illness and was unable to walk up the one flight of steps to our office for the second interview.

Please try and find the time and heart to mentor a child. These are kids who are in school but struggling with educational, social, or familial challenges. It is the most incredibly rewarding experience, and the assistance that you offer can quite literally save a child’s life forever.

Please read the info below and drop Esther a call or email.

In the zechus of your nedivus halev, may Hashem bless you with nachas from your family and success in all you do.

Respectfully,

Yakov

SOME INFO RE: PROJECT YES MENTORING

During our first ten years of operation, we developed an innovative teen-mentoring program that has had, Boruch Hashem, a positive impact on the lives of thousands of troubled children in Torah communities throughout the United States. In the years following the program’s inception, we learned that parents of “at-risk” children are often as much in need of a “lifeline” as are their children. As a result, we expanded the program to include a parent-mentoring project that provides highly trained counselors to act as “parent coaches” for a twelve- week period. As we have discovered, the entire parent/child dynamic in the home can be turned around during that relatively brief period of time.

A commitment to mentor involves just an hour a week of your time. But that one hour each week, can literally turn around the life of a child. I’m sure you have questions. Here are the answers to those most frequently asked:

Who are Project YES Teen Mentors?

Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. We are looking for both male and female mentors, single or married.

What locations does Project YES currently serve?

The Tri-State area, Monsey, Minneapolis, Detroit and Chicago.

How much time does is involved?

One hour a week. Volunteers must report back to their supervisor weekly to discuss any of their concerns. The supervision generally takes anywhere from five minutes to fifteen minutes.

How do I apply to become a Teen Mentor?

It’s easy. Log onto www.rabbihorowitz.com or call Esther Gross at Project YES: 718-758-3131 x 111.

What is the application process?

o Complete an application on-line or in person

o Complete one or two personal interviews

o Provide two personal references

o Attend a two and a half hour training session

Who are the teens served by Project YES?

• Teens are between the ages of 10-21

• May be male or female

• Reside in the servicing areas

• Demonstrate a sincere desire to participate in the program and are willing to abide by all Project YES mentoring program policies and procedures

• They have parental/guardian permission to participate in the program

• Agree to a one-year commitment to the program

• Commit to spending a minimum of one hour a week with the mentor

• Many of the teens are struggling with peer pressure, social discomfort, low self esteem, family dysfunction, poor relationships with adult figures, loss of a parent, and/or feelings of loneliness.

If you are currently unable to become a mentor, perhaps you know of someone who can. By referring a friend or relative, you too can have a direct impact on the future of our children. We know that a personal call from a friend greatly increases the likelihood of their involvement.

Once again, if this is something you think you can do, or if you have questions, please call Esther Gross at 718-758-3131 ext 111.