Homewood Middle School Peer Helpers
Sponsor: AnnaGrace Baker Baldwin
The
Homewood Middle School Peer Helping Program is designed to enhance each
student’s middle school experience by providing peer helpers with the skills
and resources necessary to encourage and help their fellow classmates. This
program is based on the concept of students helping other students. Peer
helpers are expected to maintain high personal standards and be positive role
models for their peers.
We
select peer helpers at the end of each school year and then assign each helper
to an area of service. All peer helpers are trained in basic peer helping
skills as well as specialty skills including peer tutoring, peer mentoring, and
serving as ambassadors. Peer helpers also need to be committed to community
service either on their own or through organizations such as Builder’s Club and Trendsetters.
Our
group service activities include:
- serving dinner
at the Jimmie Hale Mission each month
- assisting with
the preparations for the Mercedes Marathon weekend
- volunteering at
the Birmingham Zoo for events such as “Boo at the Zoo” and “ZooLight
Safari.”
- working with "STOP Hunger Now"
Peer
helpers must be in the 7th or 8th grade and must commit to an alcohol, other drug,
and tobacco free lifestyle. In addition, peer helpers must attend meetings
before school as well as other scheduled events, provide a minimum of 30 hours
of service to the community during the year, serve as an afternoon peer tutor
for HMS, serve as a mentor for Homewood elementary school students, and
maintain high personal and academic standards.
