Now a part of Fairwinds- Nantucket's Counseling Center (formerly Family and Children's Services of Nantucket County), Mentoring Youth Nantucket (MYNantucket, formerly a chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters) improves and enriches the lives of at-risk island children through the friendship and guidance of our caring, responsible mentors. We believe wholeheartedly that every member of our community be
nefits from this type of programming: whether it is the Kindergarten child receiving a nutritious breakfast; the High School student building confidence and leadership skills through volunteer service with young children; the Middle School student able to bridge the gap between lackluster school work and true academic success; or the adult mentors who are able to find joy and meaning through their connections with their mentees. Traditional 1 to 1 Mentoring
Island children are matched with caring adult mentors who share their interests. Mentors and mentees meet at least 2 days a month to spend quality time together. They enjoy activities that range from throwing a baseball to baking cookies to doing science experiments to good old-fashioned hanging out. In short, a mentor is a friend. MYNantucket regularly consults with other local nonprofits and Nantucket Public Schools staff to identify children who would benefit from a 1:1 mentor relationship. Breakfast Buddies
For over a decade, this program has served hundreds of elementary school children who often skip breakfast at home due to financial constraints, or whose parents must be at work before the start of the school day. Local high school students volunteer to share a healthy breakfast, talk, play games, help with homework, do crafts, and simply hang out with their elementary school buddies. Breakfast Buddies not only benefits the elementary schoolers by providing them with friends and role models, but proves equally beneficial to the high school mentors, who learn how to be responsible, reliable leaders. This program puts a whole new spin on breakfast as the most important meal of the day. For some kids, these breakfasts are the most important meals of their young lives. Academic Mentoring
Local high schoolers volunteer to tutor third, fourth and fifth grade students after school. Under the supervision of a teacher, students spend several afternoons each week focusing on the young mentees’ homework. Without this program, many mentees would not receive the tutoring that they need to succeed in school. It’s kids helping kids, and it’s working wonders. CPS Middle School Academic Mentoring
Adult volunteers from the Nantucket community—primarily retirees—tutor Cyrus Pierce Middle School students who are struggling academically. Such difficulties not only impact a student’s ability to advance in school, but can also wreak emotional havoc during a stage of life that is already tough. When a struggling student sees that a tutor is truly invested in his or her academic betterment, positive self-image can be built. Suddenly, success seems within reach! And with the help of this program, it finally is.
