Mission & Goals

The mission of Mentor Tutor Connection is to enhance academic and life skills for students through individualized volunteer tutoring and mentoring.

Our Vision

All students in our community are able to maximize their potential and shape a brighter future through access to a tutor or mentor who supports their academic, social and emotional growth. Because of our success in supporting youth in our local community, MTC serves as a role model and catalyst for other communities and organizations to create a system of caring and supportive adults for every young person in their communities.

How We Serve The Community

We serve the at-risk students in the public schools of Los Altos and Mountain View, grades 1 through 12.  MTC is funded and supported by many community foundations, service clubs, churches, local newspapers, corporations and individuals.
Today approximately 200 volunteers are working with MTC at various levels. Our goal today is to tell you about the volunteer opportunities that we have so you can decide if you want to get involved.

Tutoring
In the earliest grades, we volunteer in the schools to help children with their reading and math. This is a wonderful opportunity to help the young children discover the wonders of reading and set them on the path of successful learning that will serve them throughout their lives.
For the older students, we offer tutoring and assistance with homework after school for elementary, middle and high school. Most of the tutoring is in basic skills, but we also need tutors for high school math, science, English and foreign languages. Many students need extra help to pass the new High School exit exam, so that they can receive their diploma.

Mentoring
We are very excited about our High School mentoring program. In the mentoring program a student is matched with a mentor, who spends time listening and talking with the student and helps them as they travel the difficult teens years. The mentor is not a parent, teacher, or counselor, but rather a person they can look to discuss issues they perhaps would not discuss otherwise.
In one case, there was a student whose parents barely spoke English. She would be the first in her family to go to college. She was interested in a career in law enforcement, but wasn’t sure how to get there. Her mentor introduced her to the local Police Chief and together they toured San Jose State, where she saw the criminal justice classes that were offered. Today she is a student doing well at SJSU.
Another mentor was an amateur photographer. His student was adrift but had an interest in art. After spending time together, taking photos in the local parks, the student became focused on a career interest, graduated, attended the San Francisco Art Institute and is now pursuing a successful career in graphic arts.

Training
We provide training to the mentors and match the mentors with students that will be a good fit. Small efforts can reap big results.

We are now expanding the mentoring program to Graham and Crittenden Middle schools. We want to help these students stay on a positive path, before they get to high school.
We also have other opportunities to impact our youth. Alta Vista HS, the Continuation School for at risk students, does not have a formal sports program. Our volunteers are now coaching a basketball team.  This activity involves the students working with adults who are positive role models. The opportunities to connect with these kids are endless. We just need your help.
These volunteer efforts take as little time as 2 hour per month or to up to 2 to 3 hours per week, depending on your availability and the student’s needs.

There are many other ways that you can help the children of the community.

In addition to your volunteer time, we are also looking for continued funding so that we can expand our program and serve more students with more services.

If you or someone you know might be interested in making a donation to Partners For New Generations, we have additional financial information available. Click on the Finances and Sustainability button under “About MTC”  or click on the “Contact Us” button in the navigation bar above.

Just remember: You are only young once but you can make a difference forever!

Our Culture

MTC strives to be sensitive to the cultures that surround us.  This includes the make up of our Board, our Staff, our Volunteers and the students that we support.  Please check out our Cultural Competency policy.