Northridge : Students Sought to Serve as Role Models
Offering an opportunity to earn college credit by helping others, a pilot program at Cal State Northridge is seeking 100 students to serve as role models for troubled children at two Van Nuys middle schools.
Interested college students can apply for the program during a 90-minute rally beginning at noon Tuesday in the performing arts center of the University Student Union, project director Richard Weintraub said.
The goal, Weintraub said, is “to try to stimulate kids to stay in school and do better” through 10 weeks of after-school programs at Van Nuys and Fulton middle schools.
Beginning in late February, pairs of CSUN students will lead “creative clubs” for the children in such fields as computers, dance, psychology and journalism. The clubs will meet at least once a week for hands-on activities in each field.
“We’re looking at kids who are really not happy with the traditional classroom,” Weintraub said. “Kids with potential who are not motivated.”
Although sponsored by the university’s School of Education, Weintraub stressed that all students are welcome to apply. “We do not require that they want to be teachers,” he said.
If the pilot program is successful, the goal is to duplicate it at universities throughout the California State University system.
For more information, call Weintraub at (310) 479-4763.
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