News
Safety Net Mentor Program Needs 100 Mentors
Safety Net needs 100 volunteers to keep up with rising demand in Utah County
PROVO, Utah (Oct. 21, 2011) - An increase in the number of at-risk children is prompting Safety Net Mentor Program to ask Utah Valley residents to become mentors and help children by being positive role models in their lives.
Through its one-of-a-kind mentoring, Safety Net helps children have positive experiences with role models in the local community and acts as a preventative measure to keep children out of juvenile or other forms of detention facilities. Although Safety Net is currently helping more than 120 youth ages 6 to 18, there are many more who need the help and support Utah Valley residents can offer.
"Unfortunately, the amount of children who are referred to us by places such as the Wasatch Mental Health Clinic and Division of Child and Family Services is increasing," Karla Sedillo, Safety Net Mentor Program Director explained. "But what surprises people is this is so much more than school-like mentoring; this is mentoring for life."
Mentoring is not as time-consuming as most people might think. Sometimes a commitment of just one hour per week will make huge differences in the lives of these children.
"A lot of people say, 'I love the idea of this program, but I will just do it when I have more time.’ But you never will have more time," Sedillo said. "You just need to include them in your everyday activities and that does more than you know."
The volunteer mentors have sometimes developed close relationships with those they mentor. In fact, it is becoming more common for mentors to have those they mentor become involved in weddings or other big events. The volunteers and the help they provide are essential for these children to develop trusting and lasting relationships now and in the future.
“Please talk to us about becoming a mentor so we can work together to make this community a better place,” Sedillo explained. “If you spend even an hour per week, you will help these children more than you know.”
Safety Net Mentor Program is part of the National Mentoring Partnership and works in conjunction with many local and federal programs to place at-risk children with mentors from the community. It has been working in Utah Valley since January 1999 and currently is helping more than 120 at-risk children ages 6 to 18. Potential volunteers and sponsors can find more information at safetynetmentor.org.
For more information contact:
Bryce Kunz
Volunteer Student Media Representative
858-740-8510
brycekunz3@gmail.com
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Press Release
New legislation creates challenges for
Safety Net Mentor Program
Senator urged to support bill
SPRINGVILLE, Utah — Because of an amendment to the Child Protection Improvement Act (S.645/H.R.1360), discounted criminal background checks and state funding are no longer attainable for programs such as the Safety Net Mentor Program.
The original SafetyNET pilot program lauched in 2003, sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) among others, has been reintroduced by the senator under the name Child Protection Improvement Act. SafetyNET allowed mentor programs to receive background checks from the FBI for $18 with a turnaround of five business days to receive the results. On March 31, 2011, mentor programs no longer qualified, causing the turnaround time to increase to eight or more weeks to receive results as well as a significant increase in cost.
The change in legislation has affected the Safety Net Mentor Program Director, Karla Sedillo, fund her program. But Sedillo has chosen to continue the program entirely with her own funds.
“The Safety Net Mentor Program has been funded by the Division of Child and Family Services for 9 years,” Sedillo said. “At the end of April, DCFS cut all funding for the program. I was given permission to continue the mentor program on my own as long as there is no conflict of interest between my caseworker position and the mentor program. I encourage Senator Hatch to be active in passing this new bill.”
Safety Net Mentor Program focuses on children aged 6 to 18 years old throughout Utah County who are at risk and living in unstable environments. The program aims to help children who have a greater chance of dropping out of school, using substances, becoming runaways or involved in correctional programs simply because of their lack of stable and consistent adults. For more information, visit the Safety Net Mentor Program web site.
Contact: Karla Sedillo
Safety Net Mentor Program Director
(801) 362-0413
safetynetmentor@gmail.com
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Press Release
Utah County Native Speaks of Overcoming Odds
PROVO, Utah – As children growing up in homes without father figures continues to increase, Safety Net Mentor Program, a local non-profit organization, is determined to help at-risk youth build positive relationships to aid in the difficulties of becoming successful and productive adults.
To aid in this effort, Daniel Burleigh, a Utah native who grew up in a less than ideal family situation, will speak on July 19 at the Provo City Library in room 201.
“Daniel has the most amazing story,” said Karla Sedillo, director and founder of Safety Net Mentor Program as well as state licensed social worker. “Dan grew up in a family whose parents were separated. His father was an alcoholic and substance abuser so they spent a lot of time living on the streets.”
Eventually Daniel sought out the Division of Child and Family Services asking to be put into a foster home. His eventual success and overcoming obstacles is something Sedillo feels everyone should hear. It is truly and inspiring story.
“While I was checking into the temporary children’s shelter in order to wait for my next home, my caseworker made a comment to me that was burned into my memory,” Burleigh said. “Because he knew my situation in detail, he wouldn’t blame me if I just gave up on the world and myself. But, he said, ‘You have a choice’.”
Stories like Burleigh’s are not unique. In our community today hundreds of children need help establishing relationships with adults who can be positive role models. By creating lifelong relationships, we can help children reach their full potential.
Burleigh is now a graduate of Brigham Young University with an MBA in organizational behavior and strategy. He works as a talent scout for Microsoft, Inc. in the Seattle area.
Originally developed as the Slate Canyon Mentor Program in 1999, Safety Net Mentor Program is currently self-funded. The focus is on children aged 6 to 18 years old throughout Utah County who are at risk and living in unstable environments. Safety Net Mentor Program aims to help children who have a greater chance of dropping out of school, using substances, becoming runaways or involved in correctional programs simply because of their lack of stable and consistent adults.
Daniel Burleigh will be speaking from 7 to 8 p.m. in room 201 of the Provo City Library. For more information, visit safetynetmentor.org.
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Contacts: Karla Sedillo Daniel Burleigh
Program Director Speaker
(801) 362-0413 (801)358-6924
safetynetmentor@gmail.com danielb@byu.net
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Fact Sheet
Why: It is our belief that every child in our community deserves to have access to a concerned and responsible adult who will help guide and support them. In addition, these mentors have the ability to help the child set and accomplish goals and act as a positive role model. Because of this need Safety Net Mentor Program helps to provide a mentor if the child is lacking another adult who can offer these services.
Mission: Our mission is to recruit and train stable adult mentors to be matched with at-risk youths in helping and supporting relationships.
Vision: Through positive relationships, these youths will overcome the difficulties they face to become successful and productive adults.
Statistics: Currently, there are approximately 225 boys and girls matched with mentors, and over 90 children waiting for mentors. The age range of mentees is 6 to 18 years located throughout Utah County from Santaquin to Eagle Mountain.
Commitment: Mentors spend a minimum of one hour weekly for a minimum of one year with a child. A monthly in-service meeting provides further training for mentors and gives them a chance to share ideas. Mentors must be at least 21 years of age and undergo a formal background check.
Funding: The Safety Net Mentor Program is entirely self-funded.
History: Originally developed as the Slate Canyon Mentor Program in 1999, Safety Net Mentor Program is currently self-funded. The focus is on children aged 6 to 18 years old throughout Utah County who are at risk and living in unstable environments. Safety Net Mentor Program aims to help children who have a greater chance of dropping out of school, using substances, becoming runaways or involved in correctional programs simply because of their lack of stable and consistent adults.
Key Personnel: Karla Sedillo, Program Director and Founder
Safety Net Mentor Program Media Contact
442 Buckley Ave. Karla Sedillo
Springville, Utah 84663 Safety Net Mentor Program
Safetynetmentor.org 801-362-0413
safetynetmentor@gmail.com
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Media Advisory
Mentor program to hold End of Summer Carnival for children
WHO: The Safety Net Mentor Program director, mentor volunteers and mentees (children in the program) with their families will be in attendance at this event. Other local community members, such as BYU student LDS wards, will also be volunteering at the event. The director and mentor volunteers will be available for interviews throughout the event.
WHAT: Safety Net Mentor Program will be holding an End of Summer Carnival for the mentors and the children in the program. Photos are encouraged and a parent of the child will have signed release forms for their photos.
WHEN: The carnival is set to take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on August 27, 2011.
WHERE: Kiwanis Park
820 North 1100 East
Provo, Utah 84604
WHY: The purpose of the program is to provide mentors to children who have been referred to the program through the state of Utah, specifically within Utah Valley. The carnival is the program’s way of letting the mentee bring their family and be involved with the program.
HOW: Mentors provide a parental figure to the children for when the state decides to refer a child to the program. The child could need a mentor because the working parent is unable to facilitate an after school program or is in some other way unable to provide parental services to the child. The Safety Net Mentor Program follows the guidelines provided by the National Mentor Program.
CONTACT: Alex Orton Karla Sedillo
541-390-7510 801-362-0413
aorton23@gmail.com safetynetmentor@gmail.com
PR student volunteer Program Director
For more information, please refer to our website here.
Media Advisory
11th Annual Mentor Banquet to Honor Safety Net Mentor Program Mentors
Orem—More than 1,500 children matched with mentors in the past 12 years, and Safety Net Mentor Program is saying thank you. Safety Net Mentor Program will honor their mentors at the 11th annual mentor banquet. Two exceptional mentors who have gone above and beyond their responsibilities will be honored with the “Mentor of the Year” award.
Who: Safety Net Mentor Program
Where: Church on 200 South 100 East in Provo
When: February 8, 2011 6:30 p.m.
Visuals: BYU Young Ambassadors musical number
1,500 LIVES TOUCHED IN 12 YEARS
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Change a Life: Become a Mentor
What is a mentor? A mentor is a friend, a guide and a role model. He or she is a volunteer who wants to make a positive difference in someone's life. A mentor chooses to work with one youth to help and encourage in a trust relationship. A mentor donates at least one hour per week for a minimum of one year to help their participant.
Mentors make a difference
Youth with mentors:
- earned higher grades.
- are 52 percent less likely than their peers to skip a day of school.
- felt more competent in schoolwork.
- are 46-70 percent less likely to initiate drug use.
- are 7 percent less likely to initiate alcohol use.
- are less aggressive.
- have better relationships with their parents.
Safety Net Mentors
For the past 12 years Safety Net Mentors have worked with troubled youth and mentors to build relationships of trust and success. More than 1,500 participants have gone through our program. We currently have more than 100 mentors in Utah Valley and 110 participants, with 38 more waiting for a mentor.
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January - National Mentoring Month
10 THINGS TO DO IN JANUARY
- Become a mentor in your community.
- Learn more about mentoring.
- Partner with a mentoring organization.
- Tell 5 friends about National Mentoring Month.
- Think about the mentors in your life and post a tribute to them online.
- Read the latest research and find resources on mentoring.
- Serve your community on MLK Day of Service by deciding to become a mentor.
- Make a donation to a mentoring organization in your community.
- Go to YouTube on Thank Your Mentor Day™ (January 25) and make the National Mentoring Month videos the most popular of the day.
- Explore ways to help children succeed academically through mentoring.
Learn more about mentoring by visiting:
http://www.mentoring.org/
http://www.nationalmentoringmonth.org/
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Spare Change or Spare Time
Which is More Valuable?
By Ann C. Packard
Spare change is usually thrown into a container or drawer and forgotten until you need a little extra money; yet, spare time is considered a valuable commodity by most people, especially for at-risk youth.
In today’s world where many are juggling an overload of time commitments, there are a number of adults who commit to one-hour a week in making a difference in a child’s life. The focus for these adults is mentoring an at-risk youth between 6 and 18 years of age.
“Mentoring children has long been considered an effective approach to helping children through difficult situations, acting as role models, being a support system as well as teaching valuable social skills,” said Karla Sedillo, director of Safety Net Mentor Program. “Many at-risk youth come from dysfunctional families and lack the experiences that will provide them with the confidence to function in today’s society.”
For the past 11 years, Sedillo has administered Safety Net Mentor Program, an adult mentoring program in Utah County for at-risk youth and adolescents. Most of the children are recommended for placement by case workers of the Utah Division of Child and Family Services, additionally, school counselors have also recommended children needing an adult mentor.
Lisa Smith, case worker with the Utah Division of Child and Family Services, says that it is very beneficial for children to have healthy adult role models in their lives, which Safety Net Mentor Program has been able to provide.
“The kids I have worked with that were lucky enough to get a committed mentor have had better self-esteem, and have been more resilient in handling the struggles that life throws at them,” Smith said.
Michael Turner, a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, moved to Elk Ridge six years ago. He felt compelled to serve young people in a meaningful way. Having six daughters and no sons, he thought that mentoring a boy would give him the chance to do physical things boys enjoy, such as sports.
After contacting Safety Net Mentor Program, a 10-year old boy was matched with Turner and has been mentoring this boy for six years. During this time, Turner has witnessed the differences of a one hour a week commitment in this young boy’s life.
“Because mentors approach them as a friend and don’t push too hard, they are able to build a relationship of trust and enjoy time together,” Turner said. “When I started working with him, he was extremely shy and lacked many of the experiences boys of his age have. We have done many things together that were firsts for him – hiking, catching a fish, sports, camping and even watching a house being built.”
The biggest difference Turner has noticed in his mentee during the last six years is his self-confidence. Despite Turner’s mentee’s minor physical disability, the exposure to different sports has allowed this young boy to feel confident when asked to participate in school sport activities. Additionally, his mentee is able to make friends more easily and spend time with them in various social situations.
“He has matured into a pleasant, fine young man and is doing well in school,” Turner said. “He even got straight A’s this past school year. Mentoring has been a positive experience for both of us.”
Safety Net Mentor Program provides monthly training meetings that offer support and give insights and suggestions on how to be effective mentors. Guest speakers that have worked with at-risk youth come often, reinforcing the benefits that mentoring offers. Not only for a child, but for the community.
Spare change or spare time – which is more valuable? Money may solve most of the world’s challenges, but one hour of your time – it can make the difference in one child’s life.
Learn more about becoming a mentor at http://www.safetynetmentor.org.
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There are many youth between the ages of 6 years and 18 years of age that are identified as “at-risk youth by school counselors or county social workers. Many of these at-risk youth come from unstable home environments. County social workers have recognized these youth as needing an adult mentor that can provide some stability in their lives. Adult volunteers are recruited and trained by the team members from Safety Net Mentor Program, then matched with at-risk youth.
“Just recently, my Mentee, Mariah, asked me if I knew why she liked to come to my house,” said Safety Net Mentor, Nicole Workman. “I said no, and she replied, ‘It's because I like you.’ I know it sounds simple and like nothing you would expect to feel good from, but through all the turmoil and moving and chaos, Mariah has found something she likes and someone she is comfortable around. I feel that is the whole purpose of a Mentor Program. She plays a parental role in the home and when she is with me, we cook together, play and do fun activities. She helps me work sometimes and I hope that she sees that work ethic is a great thing to have.”
For these youth, mentors become the dependable, trusted adult in their lives; someone they can learn from and go to for advice. A mentor is a friend, a guide—a role model for healthy relationships. Many
mentors provide the only opportunity for these youth to be a child.
A 1998 study conducted by Grossman and Tierney showed that adult interaction was a critical factor for fostering positive outcomes for at-risk youth. Communities that provide the resource of caring adults can make a difference in many children’s lives. Utah County has been able to tap into their resource of college students. More than 60 percent of adult volunteer mentors are students from Brigham Young University and Utah Valley University.
To become a volunteer, one must be a stable adult, over 21 years old, and make a minimum one hour per week commitment for one year. Activities can range from a planned activity, to riding bikes or baking cookies in your home.
Safety Net Mentor Program was developed more than 11 years ago as a prevention measure for at-risk youth. The program was adopted and is funded by the State of Utah Division of Child and Family Services.
If you would like more information, please contact Karla Sedillo, 801-362-0413, or visit Safety Net Mentor Program at www.safetynetmentor.org.
Contact: Karla Sedillo
801-362-0413
safetynetmentor@gmail.com
