2 hours 2gether can change a life 4ever!

Program Overview
Adult Mentors Needed
FAQ’s
Youth Referrals
Many Ways to Get Involved
Need a Speaker?
Contact Info
Bi-monthly Newsletter (Adobe Reader required)

Program Overview

Since 1983, Times Two (formerly Friends for Youth) has provided “community-based mentoring” for the youth of Rowan County. Rowan County Youth Services Bureau, a private, non-profit agency, operates Times Two (X2), which is part of the Governor’s One-On-One Volunteer Program, a Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention initiative.

The purpose of Times Two (X2) is to match at-risk youth, between 7 – 17 years of age, with caring and responsible adult mentors in the community.

The Process:

Adult Mentors		Youth
Application Background Check & References Interview with X2 staff Program/Volunteer training Matched with youth follow up with X2 staff.		Written Referral to X2 Documentation Interview with X2 staff Program overview meeting Matched with adult men to follow up with X2 staff

Once the match is approved, the one-on-one relationship begins. The pair should time together for at least two hours per week (i.e. personal contact, telephone, and email/IM).
X2 staff recommends well-balanced activities including recreational, cultural, educational, arts and history, business, etc. that provide an enriching and fun experience for both the adult and youth. In addition, X2 staff plans monthly activities -- everyone is invited to come and participate including prospective program participants (adults, youth and family).

Click and Go to Calendar.
Click and Go to Bi-monthly Newsletter

Adult Mentors Needed

When mentor Joe Trainor met Michael Haire back in 2002, the sixth-grade student lacked confidence and focus at school and at home. Michael's dad had died in an automobile accident in 2000. Obviously, it was tragic and painful for the whole family. But after two years, Michael's mother said he was still very angry and emotionally uptight. He had a poor attitude, temper outbursts and his disruptive behavior led to numerous suspensions and failing grades. The school referred him to the Rowan County Youth Services Bureau. Could the agency's mentoring program help Michael? Would an adult mentor really make a difference to him?

Click and Go to Full Story (Salisbury Post, September 26, 2005)

Are you ready to make a difference?
Are you ready to be a mentor?
Here is info worth knowing:

· Each mentor is unique but they all demonstrate a real sense of care and concern for young people; they recognize the need for volunteers and service; and all want to give back in a positive way.

· Mentors must also be over 18 years of age, complete an application and interview, a criminal background check and provide four approved references

Let’s Get Started:	Click here to download an application.
	Print, complete and mail the application to:
Mailing Address:	Rowan County Youth Services Bureau P.O. Box 4217 Salisbury, NC 28145-4217
Street Address:	Rowan County Youth Services Bureau 318A North Main Street Salisbury, NC 28144
Office hours:	8 a.m. - 5 p.m. For more information call 704.633.5636.

Got Questions? Need more information? Email Liz Tennent Rose or call 704.633.5636.

FAQ’s Why is it called Times Two? The new name and logo, X2, represent a shared vision: 2hours 2gether can change a life 4ever! How is Times Two funded? The position is state-funded via the N.C. Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The services and activities are locally funded by the United Way of Rowan County, thanks to the generosity of contributors and approval by the RCUW board of directors. Where do the youth referrals come from? Most of the referrals come through the local juvenile court system; however, local schools, the Rowan County Department of Social Services, parents and other legal guardians have referred at-risk youth to the X2 program. How many youth in the program currently have mentors? 13 (as of 9.25.05) How many youth are waiting for mentors? Thirty-one — and the list grows weekly. Why are so many waiting to be matched? There are not enough adult volunteers. Hard to believe isn't it? According to 2003 census data, our county's population (over the age of 18) is almost 100,000. Why should I mentor? Not every adult can (or should) mentor. However, as the waiting list of youth seeking mentors continues to grow, it's important to consider the time and talents we might offer. Why don't more of us volunteer to mentor? Perhaps we feel we don't have the time; or we feel anxious or scared about youth; or we wonder: What we could possibly share in common with a young person? You'd be surprised. Click here to read about Joe and Michael. What's required to be a mentor? Each mentor is unique but they all demonstrate a real sense of care and concern for young people; they recognize the need for volunteers and service; and all want to give back in a positive way. Mentors must also be over 18 years of age, complete an application and interview, a criminal background check and provide four approved reference forms. All adult volunteers are screened and trained by X2 staff before becoming mentors. Volunteers also participate in Mentor Training, three hours of information, suggestions and discussion designed to prepare volunteers for their mentoring relationship. Throughout their year-long participation in the program, mentors receive continuous support from the X2 program: volunteer manuals, bi-monthly newsletters and in-service trainings. Staff also coordinates group activities such as holiday gatherings, arts and cultural activities, recreational and outdoor fun, and interactive sessions that reinforce the on-going relationships Does mentoring really make a difference? Compared with other at-risk youth, those involved in a meaningful relationship with an adult mentor are: · 27% less likely to begin drinking alcohol · 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs · 33% less likely to engage in violent behavior · 52% less likely to skip school (“Making a Difference: An Impact Study of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America,” Public/Private Ventures, 1995.) What’s your question? Need more information? Email Liz Tennent Rose or call 704.633.5636.

Youth Referrals Whether young people (ages 7 – 17) come to us voluntarily or have been referred by the Juvenile Justice System, we work to make their experience with us positive. Our goal is to create a positive relationship that will allow everyone involved to learn and grow. Most of the referrals come through the local juvenile court system; however, local schools, the Rowan County Department of Social Services, parents and other legal guardians have referred at-risk youth to the X2 program. Per state guidelines, 60% of our referrals must be through juvenile court; the balance can be a combination of other community sources.   Many Ways to Get Involved X2 has proven to be a valuable resource for child-service professionals and more importantly, for at-risk youth. Your support of X2 is crucial if we are to provide necessary, quality services to our community. Please help Rowan County keep pace with the spirit of service that has inspired our community and our nation. Local Business Support - Let’s get creative! If your organization is primarily made up of professionals, consider job-shadowing programs. Bringing young people into an office environment can give them a better idea of the demands of the workplace. Sponsorships are also needed. Click here for Mentoring Matters Local Government Support – Let’s get involved! Promote a culture of mentoring by granting leave to government employees who mentor youth through formal programs. (For example, one hour per week.) For more ways and ideas on how to get involved, click here. Local Community & Citizen Support – Take Action! Proactively support mentoring. Be a local mentor. Support the Rowan County United Way who provides operating funds for the X2 program. Consider a sponsorship to help X2 cost-effectively communicate and secure adult mentors. Send your message to national leaders in support of mentoring programs. Food Lion – Shop and Share Please help support Rowan County Youth Services Bureau – Link your MVP card to our agency, then shop at Food Lion. Thanks for your support! To register your MVP card now, click here.

Need a Speaker? If your organization needs a guest speaker, please call Liz Tennent Rose at 704.633.5636 or click here to send an email. She will be happy to come and speak with your group, e.g. local civic clubs, agencies, church groups, businesses, neighborhood groups and other organizations in Rowan County. Please include the name of your organization, contact person, telephone number and the date/time of the presentation request. Liz will promptly reply to your request to confirm availability and schedule. Thank you. Contact Info Times Two Mentoring Program Rowan County Youth Services Bureau 318-A North Main Street P.O. Box 4217 Salisbury, NC 28145-4217 Phone: 704.633.5636 Fax: 704.636.8117 Email: Liz@RowanYSB.com