How to Befriend or Mentor an "At Risk" Student

culled from:wikihow.com

Mentoring is a process that teaches both the mentor and the mentee. "The best learners are teachers." At-risk students need mentor more than most because they are individuals that have lacked positive direction the most. By changing the life of an at-risk child, you are altering the course for not only that individual, but also for the community that they live in, and the world we all live in. Mentoring or counseling at-risk students changes grounds of perpetual failure or communal destructiveness, into grounds suited for continued success and communal creativity.

Steps

1

Examine your reasons for mentoring. Were there role models in your own young life who kept you on track and helped you to succeed?

1. 
   2
   Recall positive aspects of your teachers and heroes in grade, middle, and high school. This should help you get an idea about how you should help this student.
2. 
   3
   If you can, go through a mentoring process yourself, through an older or more mature friend, student, or colleague.
3. 
   4
   Find a program or school that is looking for tutors or counselors to after-school programs. There are many of these out there. Try looking at after school programs that some schools and county governments provide. If you already know of a student that you think needs help, skip to step 6.
4. 
   5
   Make sure that you give all of the required background check information. You don't want to be stopped just because you forgot something.
5. 
   6
   Then, start mentoring. Remember this student may be at risk, and needs help. Remember to help them along to being a good student. Also remember to be friendly, you want them to enjoy, not dread your company.
6. 
   7
   If you already personally know of a child that needs counseling intervention, consider being a part of their life and being a positive influence. Often times, this is all that is needed to change their outlook and begin unlocking potential. Counseling intervention may not be needed, and you've made the difference.
7. 
   8
   Meet with the child regularly. Just your presence and continued attention will help, and you'll set an example of dedication and punctuality.
8. 
   9
   Have fun. Even if you get together to attend a ball game or go have some ice cream, you can be a positive influence.