Parents
- Program Basics
- Adult volunteers are “matched” with a student based on personality, interest areas, and academic abilities. These volunteers meet individually in a supervised environment with a student for at least 45 minutes each school week. This meeting time may occur during school hours or after dismissal based on the site.
- Who are the volunteers?
- Community members: college students, business people, part-time workers, parents, etc. They must pass a criminal background check, attend an orientation and trainings, complete a screening process, and be at least 18 years old.
- Which students are eligible?
- Must be in grade k – 12 and could benefit from extra attention academically and/or socially.
- What do the “matches” do together?
- Five Points is a mentoring program with an academic focus, so a match could expect to work on homework half the time and talk or play educational games the other half. The program is unique at each school. Some schools emphasize working on academics while others focus on building social skills and friendship.
- In which schools is Five Points located?
- Duluth schools where matches can meet during school hours: Lowell, Morgan Park, Ordean, Lincoln Park, Nettleton
- Duluth schools where matches meet after school dismissal: MacArthur, Homecroft, Stowe, Lincoln Park, Morgan Park, Ordean, Nettleton, Lester Park, Grant, Woodland, Lowell
- Is transportation provided?
- The Five Points program does not provide transportation when a child stays after school.
- Is there a waiting list?
- Yes. Unfortunately, at some schools there is a waiting list. We cap enrollment at a school site when we have 20 students waiting at a middle school and 5 students waiting at an elementary school.
- How long does a “match” stay together?
- We ask our volunteers to make a year commitment. It may last longer. We do have a probationary period in the first month. If the match fails to meet at least twice during the first month, we may choose to end the relationship. Consistency for both the academic mentor and student is an important component to the program. Encouraging your child to meet during the scheduled time is helpful to maintain the match, especially when they meet after school.
- Is the academic mentor allowed to have contact with a student outside of school?
- No. Five Points operates under a supervised environment. The academic mentors are not allowed to take a student off the school’s property or exchange phone numbers or e-mail addresses. However, academic mentors are permitted to attend school concerts and plays if a student invites him/her to do so.
- What happens during the summer?
- If a match wishes to stay connected, there will be opportunities for the pair to meet during structured activities that Five Points will offer over the summer months. Program staff will be available to transport students to and from the activities. If a student has access to e-mail, he/she will be able to send messages to program staff who will in turn send it to the academic mentor and visa versa. This is done to preserve confidentiality and safety for all program participants. Also, the match will be able to connect using postcards that will be given out at the end of the school year.
- What if the match wants to connect outside of school?
- Mentor Duluth is a community based mentoring program. We strongly encourage any matches to enroll in this program if they wish to meet and do activities outside of school and the Five Points program. To learn more about Mentor Duluth click here.
- How do I Enroll a Child?
- Click here to download an application. (64KB PDF file – Requires Adobe Reader)
- How can I become a Five Points Volunteer?
- Click here to learn more about becoming a Five Points Volunteer.
- What other ways can I help Five Points?
- Click here to find out other ways to assist Five Points.