Agreeing that mentoring is a valuable

collaborative community service that is

consistent with our mission to
strengthen families and support children,
CCB secured the grant in February 2012.
Our Northern Berkshire Youth Mentoring
Program has been evolving ever since.
CCB is an Affiliate Partner of the Mass
Mentoring Partnerships Quality-Based
Membership Program, validated as
committed to quality, excellence and
evidence-based, best practices that are
benchmarked against national standards.
We look forward to partnering with you.

Please contact us for more information

Northern Berkshire

Youth MENTORING Program

Post Office Box 172
North Adams, MA 01247
www.ccberkshire.org

Rachelle Smith, MSW

Director
413.663.6593 x39
rsmith@ccberkshire.org

Alex Lenski
AmeriCorps Ambassador
Program Coordinator
413.663.6593 x34
alenski@ccberkshire.org

Northern Berkshire Youth Mentoring Program

After 42 years of successfully mentoring

youth in the Berkshires, Big Brothers, Big
Sisters of Berkshire County dissolved in
December 2011. Feeling a huge gap in
the community, Northern Berkshire
United Way approached CCB to bid for a
grant to meet the need for mentoring and
provide transitional support to former
BBBS match relationships.

MENTORING

Our History

mn tr:

Likely you or someone you know has been

inspired by a mentor or by being one.
Building dynamic mentoring relationships
that expand Berkshire youths interests,
joys, strengths and possibilities for the
future is CCBs newest opportunity for
children, teens, families and volunteers.

Northern Berkshire Youth Mentoring

Program is currently accepting requests
for Mentors from youth, ages 8-14, and
their families. We are also carefully
interviewing
kind,
dedicated
adult
volunteers, 18 or older, whose experiences,
interests, and knowledge will enrich the life
of a child.
Our activity-based mentoring model:

1-2 hours per week for 1+ year

1:1 or 1:4 small group relationships

Matches are built upon interests,

compatibility and strengths

Site-based meetings within a local

school, youth or community center

Ongoing quality training, support,

and communication

a wise and trusted counselor or teacher

A matter of trust. Mentoring is a

Mentoring supports youth:

stay in school & graduate

reduce alcohol & substance use
improve self-esteem & confidence
improve academic skills
improve relationships
find new interests and resources

The time and attention of caring, reliable,

patient and dedicated mentors have supported
youth through the most pivotal and
challenging times in their lives.
Studies by the Carnegie Corporation note that
when teens were asked what they wanted
most in their free time, one of the most
frequent responses was

long talks with trusting and

trustworthy adults who know
a lot about the world and who
like young people.

structured and trusting relationship that

brings young people together with caring
individuals who offer guidance, support
and encouragement aimed at developing
the competence and character of the
mentee. A mentor is an adult who, along
with parents, provides a young person with
support, counsel, friendship, reinforcement
and constructive example. Mentors are
good listeners, people who care, people
who want to help young people bring out
strengths that are already there.

Mentoring works. In her book Stand by

Me: The Risks and Rewards of Mentoring
Today's Youth, Dr. Jean Rhodes of the
University of Massachusetts concludes that
mentors influence young people in three
important ways:

1) enhancing social skills

and emotional well-being
2) improving cognitive skills
through dialogue and listening
3) serving as a role model and
advocate