Mentor Oswego Named Community Champion for February

by Contributor | February 19, 2016 6:50 am

OSWEGO – Mentoring is all about helping students reach their potential.

As coordinators in SUNY Oswego’s Mentor Oswego program, Sahar Rajput, Julie Barton and Shelby Yates lead an army of 89 college volunteers to provide social and academic counseling throughout the county.

Recognizing Oswego County co-chair Brandon Morey said, “The selection of Sahar, Julie and Shelby as our community champions for February highlights the accomplishments of these amazing young women who have risen in the ranks of the Mentor Oswego program and now run the show. Although they are paid for their coordinator role, they also serve as volunteers themselves for the program and manage to balance this commitment 10 or more hours per week into their already busy schedules.”

The Mentor Oswego program began back in 1970s as a Big Brother/Big Sister-type program.

In the 1990s, the program was incorporated into the newly-formed SUNY Oswego Center for Service Learning and Community Service.

Currently the program operates in the Oswego, Fulton and Hannibal elementary and middle schools as well as at the Salvation Army and Hamilton Homes.

“Our programs are designed to meet the needs of the site we are working in. We have programs before school, during the school day and after school. Some work in groups, some are one-on-one and some push into classrooms. Sometimes we focus on homework, while at other sites we work on social skills,” said Yates.

Rajput added, “Whatever they do, our mentors are there to act as positive role model and to make it fun for the kids.”

Providing social support is an important aspect of the program.

“Some students have trouble getting along with others or may have anger issues. We have them come to the gym to work in a large group so they can learn to handle their emotions the right way,” Yates said.

As juniors, Rajput, Barton, and Yates have been going to the same sites for several years, providing some continuity for the program and for the participants.

“I have been going to Hannibal since my freshman year and have seen the same names and faces. I know some kids come back from year to year and request to work with the same mentors,” said Barton.

Rajput said that the biggest accomplishment of their program has been to add three new programs this year.

They are also making plans now to add a program specifically for disabled children next year.

Supervisor Alyssa Amyotte said that her three coordinators’ organizational skills and exceptional management of the program have made it possible for the program to expand and to meet the needs of the community.

For more information about Mentor Oswego visit www.oswego.edu/community-service/mentor-oswego

Recognizing Oswego County focuses on the positive efforts that are being made in the community.

Each month ROC uses this recognition effort as a platform for emphasizing the wonderful work that is happening in Oswego County to promote the health and wellness of children, families and adults.

A theme is selected each month and nominations for Community Champions are solicited.

For March, Recognizing Oswego County is seeking nominations in the area of Arts Appreciation – Community Music and Performance.

Nominations are due by March 4.

The nomination form is available on the “Recognizing Oswego County-ROC” Facebook page or by contacting [email protected]

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/community/mentor-oswego-named-community-champion-for-february/

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