CULLMAN, Ala. – The Link of Cullman County has reestablished its Volunteers in Public Schools, or V.i.P.S., mentorship program to serve West Elementary and Parkside students for the spring semester. The program, a collaborative effort between The Link and Children’s Trust Fund, is designed to offer students who may benefit from one-on-one mentorship an opportunity to grow and succeed through more hands-on mentorship and guidance than is typically offered in a school setting.
“We had the program in the past, but it has not been active since COVID,” said Dakota Trammell, literacy coordinator at The Link. “We are relaunching with those two schools and hoping to expand next fall.”
Trammell explained how the program works, noting that guidance counselors and teachers work together to identify students who might benefit from having a mentor, and The Link and Children’s Trust Fund team up to train volunteer mentors to meet the needs of those students.
“We train and work with the mentors to prepare them to work with their mentee. Mentors meet with the students on a regular basis at school during a time that matches both of their schedules,” said Trammell. With mentor training right around the corner, Trammell encouraged those who may be interested to make contact and get involved.
Trammell smiled, “It’s a great opportunity to invest into a child’s life and give back to the community. It’s also a great need. Schools reached out and asked for us to bring the program back, and we are so excited to be back in the schools again!”
Those interested in serving as a mentor for K-8 students through Volunteers in Public Schools can contact Dakota Trammell at dakotatrammell@linkingcullman.org or call 256-798-2034.
Copyright 2024 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
