Partnered with the Mental Health Center of Champaign, the Rantoul Youth center has launched a new mentoring program for kids ranging from age ten to thirteen.

The program is held on Mondays and Wednesdays from four to five, said Samantha Schneider of the Mental Health Center and program creator. All of the kids in the after school program meet two of three specific criteria, including coming from a single parent household and a lower socioeconomic status, as well as having a need for another positive adult influence, Schneider said.

During the program, mentors meet with the child that they were matched with to play games, hang out and spend time together.

“We want to show the kids that there is someone there who cares, who wants to spend time with them,” Schneider said.

Funded by the mental health center and a substance abuse prevention grant, the program also serves as a substance abuse prevention strategy, Schneider said.

“It gives the kids role models to look up to and someone to hold them accountable to behave better in school and in the community,” said Andy Graham, director of the Rantoul Youth Center.

Schneider and Graham worked together to bring the program to life.

“There was a need and a desire on both ends to have it happen,” Schneider said.

The program is still in the process of matching kids with mentors and training the mentors. Currently, there is a waiting list of boys who want mentors, Schneider said.

To be a mentor, a person must be eighteen years or older and pass a background check. Mentors then undergo a two hour training session at the Mental Health Center to learn how to work with kids as well as the situations and backgrounds of the kids, Schneider said,

“We want to see these kids know that someone cares about them,” Schneider said. “These kids have big dreams and the mentorship program helps them set goals and achieve these dreams.”