Making a difference in his community is what spurred Harvey Jones in becoming a mentor. For others who would like to follow suit, a mentoring training program will be hosted by the Exchange Club of Vicksburg Child and Parent Center, Inc.

The training will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Sept. 10, at the CAP Center, 3530-A Manor Dr. Suite 6.

Jones said he started mentoring young people in the 1980s when the program was offered through the school district and continued on after the CAP Center took it over.

“Harvey has been mentoring with us for the past 10 years,” CAP Center mentoring coordinator Susan Morang said.

“I see that there are so many young men who need mentoring to try to keep them on the right track and do what is right,” Jones said.

“A lot of times they get mixed up in different things and they need somebody to try and help them stay focused,” he said.

Mentoring a young person, Morang said, includes meeting with a child one hour per week in their school setting, showing interest in the child, providing encouragement, friendship and guidance, helping a child set goals and supporting the efforts of parents and teachers.

“Sometimes I just talk with them and listen,” Jones said, of what he does when he mentors a student.

“Other times we play games like UNO (card game) or chess or some board games. And sometimes I have worked with them on some school work, but most of the time I just talk with them,” he said.

Jones said mentoring has been rewarding.

“It’s really been a blessing for me to just be here and help these kids, because you see the progress of the children. You see the progress they make from the time you start with them to the time you finish working with them. Even in a few months you can see the difference, and it’s rewarding for you because you realize you are helping somebody that needs help. It’s amazing,” Jones said.

During the mentoring workshop, which is open to anyone 21 years or older, Morang said volunteers would receive a handbook that the group will go over as to the duties of a mentor.

“I also rely on experienced mentors to describe what they have done and issues they may have encountered,” Morang said.

Other requirements of becoming a mentor include having ones own transportation, being available during school hours and completing an application with background reference and background clearance.

“Mentoring is the most common recommendation for troubled/at risk youth,” Morang said.

Jones recalled two young men that he has mentored.

“One is a fireman now and he does body building. The other one just graduated from high school, and he went on a mission trip, this year,” Jones said.

The latter, he said, “Wanted me to quit mentoring him during junior high, but when he got to high school, he wanted me to start mentoring him again.”

“I think the school system needs a lot of male mentors,” Jones said. “There aren’t very many male mentors, but there are a lot of male students who could really benefit from somebody mentoring them.”

For more information on the CAP Center Mentoring Program, call 601-634-0557 or email capmentorporgram@gmail.com.