Model Mentoring

The Mentor/Role Model Program, Inc. (MRMP) is a nonprofit organization that matches volunteer adult mentors to school-aged youth enrolled in Halifax County Public Schools (HCPS). MRMP's mission is to guide, encourage, and nurture the youth of Halifax County through effective mentors and role models in an organized program promoting good behavior and citizenship. Its vision is to provide a mentor for every youth that needs and wants one. MRMP is a community-driven mentoring effort. In 1991, three retiring black educators began the program because they saw a need to provide positive role models and mentors to youth in the community. Since then the community has embraced the program and been the major reason for its success and longevity. MRMP matches youth with responsible adults, who are screened (police background checks) and trained by MRMP staff. Mentors are required to spend at least one hour per week with their assigned youth. MRMP is responsible for the marketing of the program as well as the recruitment, supervision, and retention of adult volunteer mentors.

The primary component of MRMP, is to improve the social skills, and to build resilience in at-risk youth, and to reduce or prevent juvenile crime. For instance, each month MRMP coordinates a Fun Day, which may include craft projects, sporting events, team building activities, and admission to various community events. All activities are open to all MRMP youth and their mentors. In addition, MRMP organizes field trips to various colleges and universities for the older youth, to expose them to continued education options. MRMP also works with the Halifax County Middle School's Student Assistance Coordinator to host a monthly after school program for seventh and eighth graders. This gives the seventh and eighth graders an opportunity to communicate with one another on important matters such as conflict resolution, character counts, and goals in a discussion led by volunteer