What we have to offer
Mentoring
One-to-one Mentoring
Founded in 1997, Talbot Mentors is a driving force in Talbot County, empowering underserved young people to become their best selves. Over 347 youth have participated since the program’s inception. Talbot Mentors provides the platform on which to establish real, meaningful, long-lasting bonds between caring adults and young people. Our volunteers commit to supporting, guiding, and being a friend to a young person. Talbot Mentors provides supportive environments, caring connections, and positive experiences to promote resiliency in children. Volunteers commit to meeting with youth once a week for 1-2 hours a week.
Parents – If you are interested in a mentor for your child, contact one of our referral sources – Talbot County Public Schools and Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor please visit our Become a Mentor page to learn more.
Group Mentoring
So that we can impact more youth beyond those participating in 1:1 mentoring, we offer group mentoring opportunities. We seek volunteers who want to share a special talent, engage in a specific activity, or teach a skill. This might include fishing, art, cooking, gardening, building, biking, sports, etc…the possibilities are endless.
Group mentoring runs during the summer months, and we work closely with our volunteers in selecting dates and appropriately aged youth participants. If you are interested in becoming a group mentor please fill out our mentor application linked here.
Academic Support
Scholars
The strength of the scholars program includes our expert team of highly qualified educators and professionals who give their all in helping our youth achieve their best selves and college dreams; a comprehensive innovative curriculum of classroom and experiential learning that challenges students academically and helps build the essential skills needed for life success; and resources to meet the financial gap after college scholarships and other outside resources are fully maximized.
Our overarching goal →100% of scholars get into college →100% stay in college →100% graduate!
Some of the top tier institutions attended by our scholars include Dartmouth, American University, Washington College, Goucher, University of Maryland, among others. We work with scholars throughout the college admissions process, from selecting best fit schools, to completing financial aid and admissions applications, to researching and applying for scholarships.
As shared by scholar Cody, “The scholars program provided me academic
and emotional support whenever I needed it and was a real example of teamwork and
community. It helped me realize just how beneficial a community can be when resources
are pooled together for the benefit and betterment of the future. It also taught me that
with grit, determination, and a little humility, folks out there will help you get where you
want to go. Scholars has certainly done that for me, because without them, I have no idea
where I might be right now!”
If you, or your child, are in grades 9-11 and are interested in becoming a Scholar, please apply here. Applicants are required to have a 3.0 GPA and must maintain that throughout their time in the program.
Tutoring
Academic tutoring helps our youth strengthen subject comprehension and build confidence. We do this 1:1 and in small groups in a dedicated educational space at our Talbot Mentors office. Youth in grades 6th – 12th join us on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM. We provide tutoring in partnership with Washington College to help students in Math, English, and Social Studies.
Pathways
Currently in the development stage, we are pleased to collaborate with Building African American Minds (BAAM) and Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center (ChesMRC) in this effort. Please check back in the fall of 2023 for more information.