Mentors and mentees joined at the closing reception for last year’s inaugural Morton Mentorship Program. The program was created and adopted by Morton Leadership Academy members, and couples high school students with local professionals who share their experience, while providing guidance and encouragement. (Photo courtesy of Morton Chamber of Commerce)

The Morton Chamber of Commerce is looking for a few good mentors.

Launched during the first semester of the 2016-17 school year, the Morton Mentorship Program offered 14 students the opportunity to job shadow local professionals.

The program will continue into the Morton High School 2017-18 fall semester, and chamber officials are hoping to increase the number of volunteers and students due to the popularity of the program.

“This program was created and adopted by Morton Leadership Academy members,” said Chamber Executive Director Leigh Ann Brown. “We wanted a small group for the first program, but this year we’re looking to have more mentors and students.”

The program matches students with mentors who then share their experience, while providing guidance and encouragement. Mentors and students are expected to meet three times during the semester, as well as attend two group events: the mentor match day and the closing reception.

“The program is available to any student and the goal is to match up the industry job with the college interests of the student,” she said. “Last year, we had professionals from health care, financial, construction, architectural, community planning, human resources.”

There was even, she said, an FBI agent who volunteered as a mentor.

“I thought it was wonderful because the students had a first-hand view of living life in that career,” Morton High School counselor Holly Riggins said. “We always suggest the students job shadow, but that puts it on the student. This program helps establish that relationship and give them that opportunity.”

Brown said high school administrators were quick to jump on board with the Morton Mentorship program, and are looking forward to hosting it again.

“There were some unique jobs, an attorney, the FBI,” Riggins said. “It’s not often you get to shadow an FBI agent.”

Riggins said privacy regulations can be a challenge for volunteers mentoring in the medical field, but the professions managed to work around HIPPA laws to provide solid mentorship to the students.

Applications for mentors will be accepted through Aug. 27, and must include two references. Mentors must then meet for around 45 minutes at the chamber for training and fingerprinting

to comply with Morton School District 709’s background check screening process for volunteers.

Students must also complete applications, and they, along with their parents are expected to attend an orientation about the program and its guidelines.

“We will have class meetings at the high school on Aug. 30,” said Riggins, “and we’ll also send out emails to allow everyone the opportunity to apply.”

For more information on the Morton Mentorship Program, visitwww.mortonchamber.org/morton-mentor.

–Morton Chamber mentors students on life, career lessons–