Together they can

Free tuition is only an incentive to the life lessons that Brockton High School student, Theo Victoria, is learning.

"It's a good program, I've learned a lot of things about life like social skills and social issues, things that are good about society and things that are bad and how we can improve them," said Victoria.

Friends and Mentors for Change (F.A.M. for Change) is the program Victoria is referring to which was started by Bridgewater State College President Dana Mohler-Faria this past summer.

Together the BSC mentors and Brockton mentees collaborated to choose a name for the program which encompasses multiple meanings.

"F.A.M. is both an acronym for Friends and Mentors as well as an abbreviation for Family and Change referring both to the change the mentees are trying to make in their own lives as well as the social change they are hoping to bring to their communities," said Sociology Professor Jonathan White, Faculty Associate for Service Learning.

"I personally feel honored to be a part of this incredible group of mentors and mentees." Both the mentors and mentees have made a serious commitment to be involved in F.A.M.

"It is a long term commitment because that's the way in which you bring about lasting change," expressed President Mohler-Faria.

The program lasts from the moment the students begin their freshman year of high school up until graduation day. It is structured in such a way that the mentees are learning the appropriate leadership skills to become future mentors once they reach their junior year of high school.

"One of the key components of the program is to teach the mentees the leadership skills they need to create positive social change in their community and, in the process, to develop higher levels of self-esteem," said Professor White.

Through hard work and dedication, along with completion of the program and graduation from high school, the mentees of the program are given the opportunity to receive a scholarship for free tuition and fees to attend BSC.

Guidance counselors in Brockton worked together last spring to select 25 eighth graders, who were upcoming freshman students of Brockton High School, to participate as mentees in the program. Every year, a new group of freshman will be selected to participate in the program.

The students at BHS were chosen for the program because of the challenges they have faced in school.

"These students did not have the kinds of opportunities that we thought they should have, but yet were kids who wanted to succeed," said President Mohler-Faria.

When discussing the reasons for developing the mentoring program, President Mohler-Faria explained that as a large institution we have an immense influence on our surrounding communities.

"Our goal as a large institution is to really get engaged within the communities around us and try to help in ways in which we can make the quality of life better in the communities that we serve," explained President Mohler-Faria. "It is also an opportunity for our students to become engaged in the community."

Director of College and Community Partnerships, Susan McCombe, explained that this program is unlike any other mentor program, in that it uses a social justice model as a basis for the program's direction.

"Because we are basing the program on a social justice model we involve the students in community service once a month," said McCombe.

So far, there has been great success in providing the mentees with enthusiastic and dedicated mentors who have given the students a sense of family and togetherness.

"It's really one of the best things I've ever done," expressed Maria Svigos, a BSC junior and mentor. "The kids are amazing, some of the best kids I've ever met."

Last spring, several BSC students completed a prerequisite course with Professor White, titled "Leadership and Mentoring for Social Change" in preparation of becoming mentors.

"I'm really happy that I did it," explained Carl Yancey, a BSC senior and mentor. "These kids teach me something new every time we meet."

President Mohler-Faria has noticed all of their efforts.

"They are really into it and are thrilled about getting involved," said President Mohler-Faria. "They are doing a great job."

In the summer the mentors and mentees joined together in various team-building exercises. Now that the school year is underway, they meet on Fridays from 3p.m. to 6p.m. where the high school students have one on one time with their mentors.

During these weekly mentor sessions, the students are taught team building and time management skills. They also learn about poverty, homelessness, and mental illness.

To find out more about the program or how to become a mentor, contact Susan McCombe at smccombe@ bridgew.edu.