Project Eye-To-Eye is coordinated and staffed entirely by college or high school students labeled with LD or ADHD. Mentors work one-on-one with elementary or middle school students with LD and/or ADHD in a local community school to address the intense feelings of alienation, frustration and failure that are so commonly experienced by those with LD/ADHD. In addition to working one-on-one, the entire group of mentors and mentees come together each week to do art projects designed to facilitate discussion, exploration, and understanding of the mentees' LD/ADHD, strengths, and interests.

Mentors seek to provide an alternate set of messages to a group of children who are too often marginalized by the education system. Their job is to believe in these young people, to be LD/ADHD role models whom the students can see themselves in and learn from, and to provide support for them in and out of the classroom. Project Eye-To-Eye is founded on personal relationships based in common experience and the principle of giving back. Through these relationships, Project Eye-To-Eye has the ability to change the lives of children OR youth just like them. Having experienced being labeled LD/ADHD themselves, mentors understand how difficult it is to be continually and consistently evaluated based upon areas of weakness. The goal of the mentoring relationship and through Beyond Normal Art Club projects feelings of failure and weakness are replaced with a sense of success and strength, as well as acceptance and confidence.

Below is a description of what is required to be a Project Eye-To-Eye mentor. This is a community service position. Project Eye-To-Eye thanks you and acknowledges the heart and energy that we know you can bring this program and students. However, there is one message we cannot make too clear: YOU CANNOT STAND-UP THE STUDENTS WITH WHOM YOU WORK. Nothing is more devastating to a child then feeling abandoned or forgotten. Otherwise your only role is to spend time with your mentee and help them see themselves as an able and gifted learner.

Mentor Requirements

Mentors are the heart and soul of Project Eye-To-Eye. The success of the entire Project Eye-To-Eye organization lies in a mentor's ability to connect with and build a positive, trusting, and constructive relationship with their mentee. In order to facilitate the development of mentoring skills and guarantee that every member of Project Eye-To-Eye is competent and familiar with our mission, all mentors and coordinators must participate in an on-site training held every fall semester. Mentor training workshops are run by either the Executive Director or the National Program Director and they are co-facilitated by each school's respective site coordinators.

A mentor wears many different hats and their role and style of interaction with their mentee should reflect the needs and personality of their mentee. There is a minimum level of commitment that is mandatory in order to be a Project Eye-To-Eye mentor:

1. Mentors must show up for every mentoring session and be on time for sessions. There may be extraordinary circumstances that arise that prevent a mentor for being able to attend a mentoring session; however, these instances must be handled in a professional and timely manner. You cannot miss a mentoring session simply because of conflicting nonessential obligations. In order to build trust, your mentee must know that you are committed to him or her; nothing speaks louder to mentor apathy than you not showing up.
   
   
2. Mentors are their working with their mentee for a reason. It is pretty cool for an elementary, middle or high schooler to have a college student come to their school to hang out with them. You can help your mentee with homework or play basketball together, but remember you are taking time out of your busy schedule for a reason. You are matched to your mentee because you share the common experience of having a learning disability in a system that is often not sensitive to your needs or appreciative of your abilities.
   
   
3. Be sensitive to your mentee's beliefs, and family and cultural values. Remember that college is not meant for everyone and that your mentees dreams and aspirations may be very different from your own.
   
   
4. As a member of Project Eye-To-Eye, mentors are representative of the organization as a whole. Your actions are a reflection of the values of your local chapter as well as of the national organization. It is imperative that you conduct yourself in a mature, ethical, and professional manner. If you have any questions about whether your past or future actions are appropriate or legal contact your site coordinator, the National Program Director or the Executive Director.
   
   
5. All mentors are required to participate in events to raise public awareness about learning differences and the amazing abilities of those with learning differences.
   
   
6. Eye-To-Eye is supposed to be fun and an empowering experience for both the mentees and the mentors. So have FUN!

Total Time Commitment: two - three hours per week

TRAINING: Mentors must attend training carried out by the National Program Coordinator of Project Eye-To-Eye: Empowering LD/ADHD Youth and Helping them Connect with their Gifts. Time commitment: half-day to full-day.

ART ROOM: Mentors work on art projects with their student and facilitate a safe and empowering educational environment. Time Commitment: 1 hour per week.

OUTSIDE ART ROOM: Mentors will work a minimum of 1 hour per week with their student outside of the art room. This can be in school or outside of school. If a mentor chooses to work with their students outside of school, they need to find a location that has additional supervision - like the Boys and Girls Club. For legal reasons, mentors should never work alone with their children. Time Commitment: 1 hr per week.

WEEKLY CHECK IN: Mentors must contact the national office after each art room session via telephone call to the hotline or posting on web form. Time Commitment: 15 minutes to half-hour per week.

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