Oasis Tutors as Mentors

The Oasis Intergenerational Tutoring Program is more than a tutoring program—it encompasses the components of tutoring, mentoring, and relationship building. Our Oasis volunteers serve many roles—as tutors, friends, and mentors—and they all depend on building a positive and supporting relationship with their students. The mentorship benefits both the mentor and the student.

There are many proven benefits to students in a mentoring partnership: improvement in academic performance, improvement in study habits, increase in self-esteem, development of critical thinking skills, improvement in social skills, increasing a growth mindset of meeting challenges and rising above them, and receiving customized feedback on efforts.

But the mentorship also benefits the older adult! Mentors learn about themselves, improve their interpersonal skills, develop empathy, and gain a deeper understanding of today’s youth and their unique problems. Most importantly, mentors gain a sense of accomplishment by positively impacting the life of another person- experiencing the process of helping a youth achieve his/ her potential. A mentor is often a student’s number one influence against poor choices.

Mentors are just as important to the school districts. While Oasis Tutors focus on their students, they also build relationships with the classroom teachers. Many feel they are working in partnership with the teacher in encouraging and supporting the students. Oasis tutors have been one of the first partners invited back into the school buildings post-pandemic and are often referred to as “essential” members of the school community.

If you would like to serve as an Oasis MENTOR to a student in Kindergarten-3^rd grade, Complete an online application at https://tutoring.oasisnet.org/become-a-tutor/

Show me a successful individual and I’ll show you someone who had a real positive influence in his or her life. I don’t care what you do for a living- if you do well, I’m sure there was someone cheering you on or showing you the way. A mentor. —Denzel Washington