MENTOR WORKSHOPS

• What: For Project GRAD volunteers
• When: Saturday, 9:30-11:30 a.m., and Jan. 15, 2005, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
• Where: 6700 W. Loop South, Suite 500

For more information, call Mary Catherine Sharman at 832-325-0311.

A decade-old organization designed to help Houston Independent School District students graduate high school has begun a mentor program this year. It is seeking help from volunteers who are interested in working with at-risk children.

Project GRAD Houston's new program is specifically targeting students at Davis, Sam Houston, Reagan, Yates and Wheatley high schools.

The organization has about 100 mentors available to call on, most of whom will work with Davis students.

More are needed for the other schools, said Mary Catherine Sharman, who helps coordinate the Project GRAD mentor program.

Sharman said the mentors will be required to meet with students at least once a month on campus and are urged to contact their students at least once a week by phone or e-mail.
She said the list of students who need mentors will be provided to Project GRAD by the schools.
"Some of these children are seniors applying for college and don't know much about applying for school, and a mentor can help walk them through that process," Sharman said. "We know what it takes to make it in the business world," she added, "but sometimes these children just need someone to talk to."