University of New England

UNE College Community Mentoring Program celebrates third year

This spring semester, 50 students from the University of New England served as mentors to local schoolchildren through the UNE College Community Mentoring Program (CCMP).

As mentors, the UNE students provide consistent, reliable adult role models for local children and youth. Mentors build a structured and trusting relationship with their mentees by offering guidance, support, encouragement, and academic assistance. In turn, UNE student mentors strengthen their dedication to the community and thoughtfully enhance their college experience.

"The best thing about being a mentor is when you recognize that you helped a kid - whether in a big or small way," wrote one CCMP mentor. Mentors express satisfaction in getting away from their own busy schedules and feeling like they're making a difference. Other favorite moments of mentors include: "Getting to experience being a kid again with my mentee" and being the subject of their mentee's free writing assignments.

Citizenship Service Learning Center
CCMP, an extension of the UNE Citizenship Service Learning Center in the Department of Sociology, began in the fall of 2003 with one site and has grown through the years. This year saw CCMP expand to serve nine local schools and after-school programs including the Northern York County YMCA 21 Club, Biddeford Middle School Alternative Education Program, The Student Assistance Team of the Biddeford Middle School, Biddeford Primary School, John F. Kennedy School in Biddeford, Kennebunkport Consolidated School, Sea Road School of Kennebunk, Lincoln Middle School Project Safe and Smart of Portland, and Crossroads Youth Center of Saco.

Mentors
The Citizenship Service Learning Center recognizes the following UNE student mentors for their enthusiasm and dedication: Tracie Alexander '07, Lisa Baillargeon '08, Allison Beckler '07, Renee Bissonnette '08, Stephanie Bliss '08, Sanja Bukarac '06, Stephanie Convery '09, Amanda Corriveau '09, Brittany Cox '08, Kari Cruanes '08, Chelsea Cummings '08, Melissa Davio '09, Trisha Day '08, Christin Dibelius '08, Alyssa Donati '08, Caitlin Fuller '08, Meghan Gaffney '09, Lauren Gallant '07, Kerra Gearinger '08, Sheena Hanmer '08, Christine Hill '09, Frank Howard '06, Lindsey Jackson '07, Erin Kenney '06, Beverly Lagueux '08, Becky Lindquist '09, Morgan Lizotte '08, Calli Lombardi '09, Katie McGoff '08, Shawn McIntosh '07, Kelly McLain '08, Kate Merrow '08, Sarah Meyer '07, Jennine Morgan '08, Rachael Mott '09, Peggy Mower '07, Cassie North '09, Mark Oliver '06, Annie Rice '06, Katie Schafer '09, Amanda Slack '08, Jessi Staley '08, Faith-Anne Starr '09, Jen Tripp '09, Abbey Turner '08, Amanda Watson '09, David Wells '09, Amy Williams '08, Jennifer Wolmuth '07, and Jessica Zima '06.

For further information about CCMP, visit the CCMP website at www.une.edu/ccmp or contact Lindsay Sirois, Communities for Children and Youth AmeriCorps*VISTA, at LSirois@une.edu or (207) 602-2294.

(Press release issued June 8, 2006)