ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — With online learning becoming the new norm amid the global pandemic, students need connection and guidance now more than ever.
However, Pinellas County Schools is short more than 500 volunteers for several of its mentoring programs, and is looking for adults willing to sacrifice a little bit of time to virtually connect with students.
"...Even though we have physical distancing, that social connection with their mentors, their teacher, that's all really important. We want to keep that connection going. So, we have implemented a virtual mentoring program,” said Michelle Roberge, district volunteer coordinator for Pinellas County Schools.
Jim Roble is a volunteer in one of the district’s mentoring programs. He’s been working with Jaxon “Cole” Smith, a senior at Clearwater High School, since he was a freshman.
“What I've tried to do is always provide…consistency in their life," said Roble.
During the school year, Roble and Smith meet twice a month for about an hour. Throughout the pandemic, they have been meeting virtually once a week.
Smith says Roble has had a huge impact on his academic, social and personal development. "I lost my mom to a heart attack my freshman year. So, I had a rough freshman year,” said Smith. "Having him there was really good for me because he kept me from being so emotional. I was an emotional wreck my freshman year. So, when he was there for me, I'd stop crying."
Roble said the mentoring relationship is not one-sided; he said he receives just as much as he gives. “I always like to think of him as my friend as well,” he said. “Being involved in...his life and then him trusting me with advice-- that makes me feel good that...I can help him, too, with his some of his life decisions that he's got going on. You know, friendships, playing hockey, applying for colleges.”
Cole said he was recently accepted into his first-choice college, and is grateful for the wisdom Roble provided in helping him get there.
"Mentoring is a great opportunity. It helps you stay focused in school,” he said. “If you have a great relationship with your mentor, then that means that you have somebody who actually cares about you, who wants to be there for you and helps you in any way they possibly can."
The Pinellas County school district says it has a waiting list of about 560 students for two of its mentoring programs: Take Stock in Children and Lunch Pals. Mentoring sessions average 30 minutes a week and are guided by a topic or activity.
The Take Stock in Children is a statewide initiative that works with students starting in middle school and follows their transitions through high school and college. According to the district’s website, Lunch Pals is a “lunchtime mentoring program where businesses, community organizations and individuals are paired with a school to provide students with the additional presence of caring adults.”
To become a mentor, click here.
Emerald Morrow is a reporter with 10News WTSP. Like her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter. You can also email her at emorrow@wtsp.com.
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