Nature and Purpose
Saint Augustine Ministries is a year round outreach program that serves children 6-14 and their families. Saint Augustine Ministries, Inc. provides a presence in the lives of each child throughout the year. Afterschool programs, mentor programs, Vision Quest and family advocacy round out the year long program. Saint Augustine Ministries watches over each child and their family, insuring that their medical, psychological, social and educational needs are met.
Mentoring-Through the mentoring program we provide a good number of our boys and girls with caring individuals who meet with them weekly, serving as tutors, recreational partners and listeners. In essence, most of these children suffer from a terrible lack of self-esteem.
Afterschool Program-The Afterschool Program is an academic year component of our Saint Augustine Ministries. This homework based program runs from September to June and provides space for 20 children Monday-Friday, from 2:00 to 5:30 pm.   The staff, paid and volunteer, provide a level of attention and care which would be impossible in larger programs. Each child has plenty of time to complete homework and still have time for recreation. Friday's are set aside for enrichment field trips.

Mentoring Tasks
PULSE mentors act as tutors, advocates and companions. We encourage mentors spend an hour of their time together helping their mentee with homework or a special educational project.  We ask mentors to spend a full weekend day per month with their mentee, taking advantage of the wonderful resources of Boston such as: museums, sporting events and the like. Mentors must be able to: plan all of their visits with their mentee; negotiate public transportation (if necessary); call their supervisor each week for a supervisory conference; complete required paperwork in a timely manner; attend orientation and feild days; attend supervisor meetings at Boston College.

Time Requirements for Mentors
Each week a mentor is expected to spend a minimum of five hoursnot including travel time, with their mentee. In addition, once a month, we ask each mentor to spend one full day on a weekend with their mentee. PULSE students must also participate in a weekly supervision session, by phone or in person.
Orientation for all mentors: Saturday, October 4th from 10-3 at our Boston office.

Supervision for Mentors
Mentors are expected to report tothe supervisor weekly and regular meetings are arranged at times that are mutually convenient. Training prior to the start of the program is mandatory.

Tasks of Afterschool Volunteers
In addition to assisting children with their homework volunteers will: prepare program space before children arrive; assist children in getting a snack; facilitate recreational opportunities; assist with daily meetings; assist children in readying themselves to go home; monitoring the van ride home.

Time Requirement for Afterschool Staff
Pulse studentsmust commit to two days each week at the afterschool program. Hours are approximately from (1:30) 2:00-5:30 (6:00) depending on the student's availability.

Supervisors
Richard L. Harris

Address
Saint Augustine Ministries
1783 Washington St.
Boston, MA 02118
Telephone: 437-7076
Fax: 437-6657
E-mail: Saint_Augustine_ministries@yahoo.com
www.SaintAugustine.org

Council Member
Danielle Driscoll

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