MVP

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Equitas Academy and the Pico Union Project are committed to supporting 100 percent of scholars to and through a four-year college or university. Over 90 percent of Equitas scholars qualify for free/reduced lunch, and will be the first in their family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. First-generation, low-income scholars will face unique hurdles as they may lack people able to support their access to and through college. Fewer than 30 percent of eligible students in the bottom quarter of incomes even enroll in a four-year school. And among that group, fewer than half graduate.

However, mentors play a critical role for first-generation college students! Mentors serve as effective “compensatory resources” and help outcomes for first-generation students look more like those of continuing-generation students.

How Equitas MVP Works

- Equitas alumni are encouraged to enroll in the Mentor-Volunteer Program. Alumni will be paired with a mentor who shares similar career interests.
- Once a month, mentors and mentees will check-in for 30 minutes virtually (or in-person, if permitted post-COVID19).
- Mentors will be provided resources and ideas for the monthly check-in with their alumni mentee that is grounded in goal-setting.
- Concurrently, Equitas alumni will complete 5 volunteer hours for their mentor and/or with their mentor's support.
- While mentors share their college experience and serve as a role model, alumni will volunteer their time and gain real-world experience in a field of interest.

In a mutually beneficial mentorship, mentors and alumni are each other’s MVP.

Expectations

Equitas Alumni are expected to:

1. Commit to a responsive and reciprocal relationship with their mentor.
2. Participate in a 30-minute check-in with their mentor once a month from February-June, with the option to extend.
3. Together with their mentor, submit the “Monthly Check-in Reflection Form” each month confirming that the check-in took place.
4. Log 5 volunteer hours with their mentor by the end of the calendar year.

Mentors are expected to:

1. Have a deep level of commitment to the educational outcomes and general well-being of their mentee.
2. Coordinate and conduct monthly 30-minute check-ins with their mentee once a month from February-June, with the option to extend .
3. Together with their mentee, submit the “Monthly Check-in Reflection Form” each month confirming that the check-in took place.
4. Provide and/or coordinate 5-hours worth of volunteer projects by the end of the school year.
5. All mentors must have an active, clear criminal background check with the California Department of Justice prior to becoming a mentor. *See FAQ below for more information on who this applies to and how to complete the background check.

How to Become an MVP

- Equitas Alumni: The MVP Alumni application will be available in January.
- Mentors: The MVP Mentor application will be available in January.
  - - NOTE: All mentors must have an active, cleared background check on file with Equitas Academy prior to January 28th. Please see FAQ below for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long am I an MVP?

From February-June. Mentors and alumni will be asked at the end of the cycle if they intend to renew their MVP status with their current mentee. It is possible, and encouraged, to be each other’s MVP throughout the alum’s academic career.

What is the time commitment?

Each month, MVPs have a 30-minute mentoring session referred to as “check-ins.” After each check-in, both MVPs need to complete a 2-minute reflection form confirming the check-in has occurred. Additionally, by the end of the cycle mentees must have completed 5 volunteer hours engaging in their career interests with their mentor.

Do I need to complete a background check to become a mentor?

All mentors must have a clear criminal background check with the California Department of Justice prior to becoming a mentor.

Current staff members of Equitas Academy have completed this background check upon hire, and therefore no further action is required prior to applying to be a mentor.
Board members of Equitas Academy must complete a background check prior to applying to be a mentor. Their ability to mentor an alum of Equitas Academy is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check with the California Department of Justice.
Past staff members of Equitas Academy must complete a background check prior to applying to be a mentor. Their ability to mentor an alum of Equitas Academy is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check with the California Department of Justice.
Members of the community must complete a background check prior to applying to be a mentor. Their ability to mentor an alum of Equitas Academy is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check with the California Department of Justice.

How do I complete a background check to be a Mentor?

In order to complete a background check, please take this Live Scan form to a licensed provider. Once a Mentor applicant has completed a background check, they may apply to be a mentor and will be paired with an alumni mentee. Once the first check-in is complete, Equitas Academy will reimburse MVP Mentors for the cost of the background check. The cost should not be more than $30 for the DOJ level of service only (do not select FBI clearance). Please keep your original receipt for reimbursement and submit a copy of it with your application. Contact [email protected] with any questions regarding the background check process or requirements.

I want to be a mentor, but what if I know nothing about the SAT, college applications or the FAFSA?

You don’t need to! As long as you feel comfortable talking about your college experience and your career interests, you’re good to go. We will provide all materials to guide your conversations, and you will be able to let us know when your alumni mentee needs specific resources.

What can I expect after signing up?

January, February: MVP applications due + match notifications
March, April, May: Monthly check-ins
June: End-of-Year Celebration and last check-in

Where do monthly check-ins take place?

Due to COVID-19, we ask that all MVP mentors and mentees meet virtually (over the phone, video conference, etc.) to maintain social distance.

What do we check-in about?

MVPs check-ins have two main focuses: goal-setting and college pathway exploration. The first check-in will provide a space for alumni to share and/or set their college and career goals with mentors. Subsequent check-ins will provide a space for mentors to check in with alumni on their goals. Each check-in will also provide a space for alumni and mentors to build a relationship that provides alumni with a college graduate currently in a field of interest who they can lean on through their college pathway exploration.

When are the “Monthly Check-in Reflection Forms” due?

Within a week of each monthly check-in, mentors and alumni should submit the reflection form to confirm they have completed a check-in. These forms also provide a way for you to share any additional follow up we may need to do. If an alum asks for support on SAT practice during their check-in, for example, mentors can add it to their form to ensure the Equitas Alumni team connects alumni with appropriate resources.

How are mentors and mentees matched?

We aim to match mentors and mentees with a compatible MVP based on career interests, hobbies, education, and other factors noted in each application. We recruit MVPs with the intention of matching all mentor/mentees who are interested in participating. In the event that there is a surplus of mentor applications, mentors will be paired on a first-come first-served basis. In the event that there is a surplus of alumni applications, high school seniors will have first priority, then juniors, sophomores and freshmen.

For additional questions or information, please contact [email protected]