CHAMPS

The College and High School Mentoring Program and Alliance (CHAMPS) program was established in 2007 to provide a continued mentoring service to the high school students that aged out of Big Buddies. CHAMPS builds a supportive community to empower the high school students (mentees) to recognize their capabilities and potential for higher learning. CHAMPS operates on Monday nights from 5:30pm-7:30pm in the Orton Center at the University of Redlands Main Campus.

The program is structured as a group-on-group setting, with one-on-one pairings. This system expands the role model influence to many different types of college students from the University of Redlands. Due to the 2023-2024 academic year coming to an end, CHAMPS will begin accepting new students in September 2024. If you would like be contacted for availability in CHAMPS this fall, please complete this interest form.

Objectives

To provide college role models and mentors, encouraging higher education
To build self-confidence in the mentees
To guide students through the college application process
To teach students skills that will make their high school transition to college easier
To build stronger communication relationships between students and their parents (regarding issues related to college and vocational endeavors)
To show students that they have the potential for higher learning
To provide students with an example of the atmosphere of college life

Program Resources

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Sample Itinerary:

5:30 pm: Opening group activity

6:00 pm: Weekly thematic mentor activity or guest speaker

7:30 pm: Pick Up

Calendar

View this calendar to stay informed on important program dates and events!

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Guardian Information Packet

Explore program information, participant expectations, and University of Redlands policies relevant to our work!

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Mentor Onboarding Process

In order to become a CHAMPS mentor, University of Redlands students must complete an application and interview that takes place during the first month of each semester. View the steps below to learn more information about this process.

Those interested in becoming a CHAMPS mentor will complete an application at the beginning of the academic year in which they would like to participate in the program. After the application is submitted, the CHAMPS Student Directors will contact the applicant to schedule an in-person interview.

The Student Directors will conduct a 30 minute in-person interview to determine if the applicant will be an effective mentor for the children in the program. The Student Directors will contact the applicant within one week of the interview regarding the status of their application.

In order to verify that the college mentors have clear credentials to serve with the CHAMPS program, the names of each applicant are run through the Student Affairs Office for a university/disciplinary check as well as a background check with Sterling Volunteers. After an applicant is formally offered the mentor position, they must complete and submit their background check and mandated reporter training to the Director of Children's Programs within five days of receiving them.

After the background check and mandated reporter training are submitted, the mentor must attend additional mentor training facilitated by the Student Directors. The training will educate mentors on their role and responsibilities as well as the daily activities of the program.

Once a mentor completes their training with the Student Directors, they can officially participate in the CHAMPS program.