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David and Molly Boren Mentoring Initiative

Think what would happen if all children in this state had mentors – someone to spend time with them, to tutor them, to love them. Think about how it would transform this state. It would be revolutionary!
--David Boren, 2002 Fall Forum

Background
In Oklahoma, 30.6 percent of male children, 37.2 percent of Native American children, and 53.5 percent of black male children do not graduate from high school. For many of these students, mentoring may be the first (and last) best hope.

Statistical assessment of mentoring programs confirms that mentoring actually works to change the lives of young people. Responding to David Boren’s vision and the proven impact of mentoring on academic success, the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence (OFE) has developed a five-point strategy to promote the growth and development of school-based mentoring programs in Oklahoma.

Five-Point Strategy

Provide mentoring resources through our web site (www.ofe.org/mentoring) with sample forms and detailed information on how to create a successful mentoring program, tips for prospective volunteers, information for families and a city-by-city directory of mentoring programs in Oklahoma.

Promote mentoring as an integral part of our Local Education Foundation (LEF) Outreach Program to school districts throughout the state. Through OFE publications, regional meetings and contact with the outreach director, foundations will learn how they can identify the mentoring needs and services in their community and encourage more volunteers.

Offer mentor training sessions at the annual OFE Fall Forum, Oklahoma’s premiere training and networking event for LEF volunteers, school administrator, educators, and youth advocates.

Conduct a statewide public relations campaign. The OFE staff will promote the mentoring partnership and the value of mentoring through news releases, public service announcements, publications, electronic communications and the OFE web site.

Expand the volunteer mentor effort among Foundation for Excellence trustees and Academic All-State alumni. OFE supporters, ranging from trustees to recent Academic All-Staters, will be encouraged to serve as role models and leaders in this volunteer mentoring movement.

For more information, contact:
Jennifer Geren, Director
David & Molly Boren Mentoring Initiative
jgeren@ofe.org
405-236-0006