North Gwinnett News

The Community-Based Mentoring Program (CBMP) in Gwinnett County Public Schools has been relaunched with a focus on equity. The program pairs trusted adults from the community with students in grades 4 through 12, offering them one-on-one mentorship experiences. Mentors provide guidance and support to help students succeed both academically and personally.

Elizabeth Crofton, a mentor and educator, shared her perspective on the program's impact: “The most rewarding part of mentoring has definitely been watching each of my mentees grow more confident in themselves as students and community members during the course of our time together…On a personal level, mentoring has given me a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. It’s a win-win situation,” she says.

Mentorship through CBMP has shown positive effects on student achievement, self-esteem, social-emotional learning, and creating lasting connections. The program also encourages students to stay in school, set higher goals, and overcome challenges. Santosh Soni became involved with CBMP after volunteering at North Gwinnett Middle School. They expressed satisfaction with their role: “Although it’s been only a short time, I feel that they take me as their friend who is listening to them, making them comfortable to talk about themselves... one of the mentees said that 'he feels very comfortable in our meeting,' it made me feel good about myself.”

The initiative aligns with The Blueprint’s Equity Goal 2A, which aims to establish a comprehensive framework addressing both academic and non-academic student needs by removing barriers to success.