A peer mentor program at Glendale Community College (CA) supports student parents under the tagline “Empowerment by Example.” The CalWORKs Parents Program “supports parenting students with children under 18 who are changing their own lives, two generations at a time, and CalWORKs families find social and economic justice through education. CalWORKs students receive priority registration and twice-yearly grants,” according to their website.
At Glendale Community College, CalWORKs peer mentors “have lived through similar experiences,” such as applying for CalWORKs, taking noncredit ESL classes, taking for-credit classes, figuring out their major and career goals, balancing all the responsibilities and challenges of being a student parent, and much more. “Through one-on-one interactions with CalWORKs students (also known as Parent Scholars), Peer Mentors share their knowledge and lessons learned to help guide, support, and encourage CalWORKs students during new, confusing, and/or difficult times.”
According to their webpage, a CalWORKs peer mentor…
- “Shares their knowledge and experience about GCC and CalWORKs
- Provides support and guidance to students who need help or feel lost
- Helps students to understand GCC or CalWORKs better
- Helps students to stay focused on their education and career goals
- Gives information and provides resources about GCC programs and services
- Is a trusted ally or advocate to students
- Is a positive role model to other GCC CalWORKs students”
You can learn more here.
And tap into our BRAND NEW Peer Mentor Practices: Training, Facilitation & Programming guide to learn how peer leaders can facilitate key connection points to enhance students’ sense of belonging, purpose and persistence to graduation.
