Their reasons for becoming mentors are similar: Being a role model and lending an ear to listen to problems. Michelle Smith and William McGrew both want to reach out to youth and make a difference in a child's life.

"I hope to show these kids how wonderful they are," Smith said.

Smith and McGrew are mentors for Champions, a new program funded in part through Natrona County School District's Safe Schools, Healthy Kids grant. Mercer House is a partner for the program, which was allocated about $600,000 for the next three years.

The program has been recruiting members throughout summer. Mentors go through the school district's hiring process and a thorough background check.

Smith taught for 25 years and is now a tutor at Pineview Elementary. Part of the reason she became a mentor stems from research - studies show that having a mentor can influence students to stick with school.

"The research shows that kids that have mentors do graduate from high school," Smith said. "And boy, is that ever important."

Many students today come from broken homes, single-parent families and poverty, Smith said. Connecting with a teacher may be the only positive interaction a student has with an adult.

"In today's society, a lot of kids kind of have a missing link. They don't have a lot of positive interaction with a lot of adults in their life," Smith said. "I'm not out to change the child. I'm just out to validate the child, and help that child realize school is worthwhile and life is worthwhile."

As pastor for Christ the United Methodist Church, McGrew said it's his duty to be a servant for Casper's youth. Taking time each week to help a child in need is only a small part of what he can do, McGrew said.

McGrew has lived in Casper for just more than a year and said when the he saw the opportunity to mentor a student, he realized it was something important he could do.

"Maybe it's just that they need a male figure in their life," McGrew said. "Maybe it's that they need someone else mom and dad, and someone else with a different perspective."

Reach education reporter Jasa Santos at (307) 266-0593 or at Jasa.Santos@trib.com.

For more info

To learn more about the Champions Mentor program, or if you're ready to become a mentor, contact Helene Crouch at (307) 233-4279.