Mentoring Program
Our mentoring program empowers young minds by fostering strong connections within our community and helping them thrive academically through one-on-one relationships with mentors, focusing on reading, math, and relationship-building.
After School Mentoring Program
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Belong! runs an academic and social-emotional learning after-school program for elementary school students. Our dedicated staff diligently creates a meaningful, warm, positive, and safe learning environment for students who will benefit from extra support.
Students receive personalized one-on-one mentoring, starting with initial reading and math assessments to identify areas that they need to work on. Mentors guide students through various stages: letter recognition, phonics using the Reading One-to-One and BOB books, or advanced text reading and discussion. Vocabulary and comprehension are enhanced through discussions or reading sessions fostering growth across age groups.
Similarly, in math, mentors target specific skills using assessments and offer a range of tools like games, manipulatives, and worksheets to help students master the skills they are working on in school.
We place a strong emphasis on mentorship, emotional development, and the forging of positive social skills and trusting, caring relationships. We are dedicated to providing a loving environment that empowers students both academically and emotionally. We strive to offer a well-rounded after-school experience that fosters their personal and academic growth, ensuring a nurturing space where they can truly thrive.
For quick answers to frequently asked questions, check out our FAQ section here. If you have additional questions, feel free to reach out to us at 571-325-8689. Your questions are important to us, and we are here to provide the answers you need.
The Reading One-to-One program is an integral part of our after-school classes at Belong. This proven initiative, which uses decodable BOB books and targets different phonics skills, was developed at the University of California. It pairs dedicated volunteers with elementary school students seeking additional reading support. By focusing on phonics, this program empowers kids to master decoding skills, boosting their confidence and transforming them into successful, proficient readers and writers. Join us in shaping a brighter reading future for our youth!
Consider Volunteering
To achieve our mission, Belong! always welcomes volunteers to uplift the children in our after-school program. With increased volunteer support, we can expand our reach and create a positive influence in the lives of a greater number of kids within the community.
Volunteer mentors will work one-on-one with the students on a weekly basis. In addition to providing academic support in math and reading through engaging games, read-alouds, and other fun activities, mentors will play a pivotal role in fostering a nurturing and supportive environment. Volunteer mentors will offer guidance and encouragement to help children learn, grow, and flourish.
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Commitment to Making a Difference
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We prefer that mentors participate for the entire school year and request a commitment starting from September 2024 through mid-May 2025. This ongoing dedication enables mentors and students to build meaningful, trusting relationships, leading to greater academic and emotional growth.
To facilitate valuable interactions, mentors are expected to dedicate around 2 hours per week - an hour to an hour and a half with the child and thirty to forty-five minutes planning ahead of time.
Support and Training​
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To ensure mentors are well-prepared and confident in their roles, Belong will provide comprehensive training, engaging activities, and ongoing support and guidance. We want to make sure our mentors feel valued, motivated, and that their experience is both rewarding and fulfilling.
Next Steps​
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To understand our mentoring volunteer role better, check out the job descriptions for working with elementary students here. Attend one of our orientations to learn more about Belong and how you can help. If you are ready to start making a difference with us, please complete our volunteer application. Do you have questions or are you ready to move forward? Feel free to email karen@belongvienna.org. We’re here to guide you along every step of the way, ensuring you have all you need for this fulfilling journey.
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With support from Fairfax County Consolidated Community Funding Pool.