Mentoring

Project Friendship & Junior Project Friendship

The Project Friendship mentoring programs at Family & Children’s Agency have been providing one-on-one mentoring services to children of the Greater Norwalk area for nearly 40 years.

Through the Project Friendship programs, countless children have made lasting friendships while enjoying fun, safe activities with supportive adults or teens.  “Big Friends” and “Little Friends” get together each week and do what friends do: talk, go to the park, play sports, see a movie, bake cookies, etc.

Such mentoring relationships have been proven to have many long-term benefits, including improved self-esteem and school performance, reduced incidents of crime, premature parenting and substance abuse, and greater expectations for one’s future.

Project Friendship (est. 1974) & Junior Project Friendship (est. 1984) are both community-based mentoring programs for children.  The difference between the two programs is the age of the Big Friend with Project Friendship providing adult mentors for children between the ages of 6-14 and Junior Project Friendship providing teen mentors, who are high school juniors and seniors, to children between the ages of 6-12.

Read an article about one of our Project Friendship matches.

Watch a video about one of our Jr. Project Friendship matches.

Who can participate?

Children from the Greater Norwalk area (including Darien, New Canaan, Weston, Westport, and Wilton) between the ages of 6 and 14 who would benefit from a positive mentoring relationship. Preference is given to:

• Children who are not already engaged in activities during non-school hours
• Children who are isolated, have poor peer interaction or are experiencing difficulties at school or at home

When

Big Friends (mentors) and Little Friends (mentees) meet weekly for two to three hours throughout the year during non-school hours.

Cost

There is no fee to participants: however, some activities chosen by the Big and Little Friend may incur a cost.

Program Goal

To promote the healthy development of children and youth through a mentoring relationship. Our experience has been that children in a mentoring relationship benefit socially, emotionally, and academically. Mentoring provides the chance for two people who are different ages to form a relationship in which they will learn from each other and enrich each other’s lives!

What does it take to become a mentor?

• You need to be 18 years old with a clean criminal, child abuse, and driving record check. (Project Friendship)
• You must be a Junior or Senior in High School who has a drivers license and transportation. (Junior Project Friendship)
• Complete the application and go through an in depth interview and orientation process.
• Most importantly, commit to making a difference in the life of a “Little Friend” by being consistent,
• Patient, and supportive.

Learn about Volunteering at Family & Children’s Agency.

For More Information

For more information on our Mentoring program or to obtain an application, contact Allison Bertram, Coordinator of Mentoring Services at  (203) 523-5776 or abertram@fcagency.org.