Growing up in the inner-city isn't easy.

It's not uncommon to see streets littered with garbage, buildings defaced by graffiti, and teenagers yelling out insults to one another across the street. And that's just the day time.

"Growing up on this side of town, it's always been a bit harder to stay and task and to be motivated to do well [in school] because many of my peers don't see the point. It's hard to do what you know is the right thing when so many people around you can be so easily persuaded to do what is wrong," says Andrea Lara, a Sophomore who has attended Summit for six years. "That's why a place like Summit is so important and has made a huge difference for me and kids like me."

And Summit has made a difference. Test results show that students that attend Summit for an entire year in both the One-On-One Tutoring & Mentoring Program and the Summer Olympics Program grow by an average of 1.5 years in grade level equivalency, which is better than the national average. In a city known for some of the lowest standardized test results in the nation, Summit kids are breaking stride.

But that's not why students in the programs keep coming back. According to Andrea, the "one thing that really stands out about Summit is the people. All of the mentors and counselors I've had truly care about the kids in the program and want to help them progress."

Summit can't reach these kids alone. We need people like YOU to volunteer and become a mentor to change a life and help students like Andrea reach their fullest potential.

Why Become a Mentor?

"Mentor." 

Maybe it sounds intimidating. And like a lot of responsibility. But don't be turned away just yet - Summit offers an orientation and ongoing training to help you become the best mentor and role model possible for a young student.

Summit's one-on-one tutoring and mentoring program provides the perfect opportunity for using your time and talents to help inner-city youth to achieve academic and personal growth. By acting as a friend and offering one-on-one attention and support, you will serve as a successful adult role model and help a student with schoolwork and goal-setting. Most importantly, 

• You are needed. You make a difference and change the life of an inner-city student in a five-star program!
• You are rewarded. As you learn to cultivate friendship and trust with your student, you will see them grow before your eyes!
• It is convenient. You spend just two hours, once a week with your student on a day of your choice. The commitment is semester by semester. 
• It is structured. Tutors meet at Summit for two hours per week in a classroom setting. Volunteers have an initial orientation and ongoing training and support from the program director. 
• Mentoring makes a difference. 

The One-On-One Structure

Each student is matched with a trained volunteer who serves as the student's tutor and mentor. Students and their mentors/tutors build friendship, trust and confidence in an environment where growth in virtues is best developed and nurtured. 

Students and volunteers meet at Summit once each week to study for an hour, participate in a character talk and set personal goals for 10 minutes, and play sports for 45 minutes. Volunteers can choose which day works best for them from the following days:

Girls' Program:  meets Monday or Wednesday, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., or Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.

Boys' Program: meets Tuesday or Thursday, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., or Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.