The D.A.'s Mentoring-based Truancy Reduction Program
Making a difference, once child at a time!
Did you know, students who meet regularly with their mentors are 52% less likely than their peers to skip a day of school and 37% less likely to skip a class?
A message from mentors Anthony and Patricia Lockhart...
"Our mentees have completely given us a new outlook on life. We uplift them and they energize us. We teach them about responsibility, and they teach us how to be cool and relaxed. We expose them to different cultures and food, and they expose us to the secret life of a middle school student. We help them with their homework and school, and they make sure we never forget how to multiply improper fractions and correctly name all the parts of speech."
About the Mentoring Program:
The D.A.'s Office is leading a pilot program, in eight Memphis City Schools middle schools, to offer mentors as an alternative to court proceedings for habitual truancy (five or more unexcused absences). Through the program, youth and family enter into an agreement in the form of a Court Order in which the youth agrees to be matched with a designated mentor.
Evaluation of the program has proven that there is a clear reduction in the truancy rates of children participating in the Truancy Reduction Program. There is also a reduction in the number of students who; have contact with the juvenile justice system, join gangs or engage in criminal activity.
About the Mentor Commitment:
Interested mentor candidates are subject to a criminal background check by the D.A.'s Office including, but not limited to, sex offender registry checks. Additionally, mentor candidates complete a half-day orientation and training seminar modeled after the National Mentoring Network's program.
Mentors are encouraged to hold one year commitments, at minimum, to the program and engage in a minimum of 8 hours per month with their matched mentee (youth).
To get started and download a mentoring candidate application please click Mentoring Application.
For more information about becoming a mentor or to have a representative speak to your faith-based group, congregation or community group, please call 901-545-5900 or email mentor@scdag.com.
"Mentors made a difference in my life as a child. They steered me down the right path and helped shape me into the person I am today. Please consider becoming a mentor to a young person, Your commitment of just eight hours a month will not only make a difference in a child's life, it will also help make our community safer."
-Shelby County District Attorney Bill Gibbons
This project is funded under an agreement with the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth.