Thursday, June 4, 1998 | 10:17 a.m.
A new mentoring program has been designed to help at-risk students stay in school by providing them a one-on-one relationship with professionals in the community.
The Stay in School Mentoring Program, a partnership between the Clark County School District, the United Way and Target Stores, is an offshoot of America's Promise established at the President's Summit for America's future, said Jodi Pugliese, community relations resource for the program.
A kick-off meeting for the program will take place at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Target at 3210 N. Tenaya Way.
Pugliese said the mentors, who go through the federal and local screening process in addition to training sessions, will assist in personal, academic and social growth.
"It's based upon children who are displaying that they need some emotional support, whose parents are not participating in their lives and who may be failing at school," Pugliese said, adding that the students are selected by their teachers and counselors at school.
Mentors are asked to spend at least an hour a week with the students for the length of the school year and will meet them at the school during school hours.
"We plan to target children ages 11 through 14 when they're really shaping their goals for the future," she said. "As the program broadens, we plan to move in to the high school sector."
Pugliese said there are about 25 mentors right now. The goal is to have 100 mentors by September and 1,000 in the next three years.
Pugliese said the school district began the program in January, but Ray Sconiers, the district manager of Target stores in Nevada, is the first corporate sponsor to respond to the request for mentors.
Target also will provide the school district with mentoring kits containing school supplies and other materials needed for the program.
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