Thursday October 24, 2013
What is it?
U.S. Army Central Soldiers mentor local students in Sumter, South Carolina, resulting in improved academic achievement, experience at problem-solving, increased communication and better social skills of the students. This ongoing community engagement program creates a sense of personal involvement and interaction between USARCENT and the local community.
What has the Army done?
The Army encourages mentorship in the ranks and USARCENT encourages mentoring in the local community. In 2011, USARCENT matched elementary students with volunteer Soldiers for one hour a week. Within a few weeks, word of the mentorship program spread and by the beginning of the 2012 school year, USARCENT was involved in four local elementary schools.
Volunteer mentors meet at the elementary schools and take the child mentee out of class to do fun activities, geared for personal development, but limited to the school grounds. These activities include games, reading books, or having a conversation with the mentee. The program strengthens the ability of children to make healthy choices and resist negative influences.
With the program running until June, the school district is always in search of volunteers in order to begin expanding and matching students at smaller, rural communities with mentors. Mentorship has expanded to middle and high schools as well.
What efforts does the Army have planned for the future?
The U.S. Army sees mentoring as an important leadership and Soldier development tool, creating tomorrow’s leaders. USARCENT personnel are strongly encouraged to participate in the mentorship program in order to help develop children into successful adults.
Why is this important to the Army?
The importance of the mentoring program lies in the nurturing of the intellectual, emotional, social and physical growth of children, as well as to increase public awareness of the Army’s mission and to foster good relations with the community.
Many of the children in local schools are military children, and, hence in the best interest of the Soldiers, to “help out.” By participating in the program, Soldiers are investing in the future of the society, the Army profession and the nation.
Resources:
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