How are you funded?
As a 501c3, we are funded by private donations, corporate donations, and grants.
Is Touchstone a new organization or have you been around a while?
Touchstone was started by Andrew and Nicole Hunzicker in 2002. Since that time we have grown from a one day per week operation to a 5 day per week operation. We have served over 1,000 youth in the OKC area, many of which have come for multiple years and developed friendships and relationships with their mentors. In fact, one of our success stories is a man named Jacob Jeffcoat who currently sits on our Board of Directors.
How much time is required of a mentor/volunteer?
Since consistency is at a premium in many of our student’s lives, we ask that each mentor commit to come the same session every week for a semester, and renew as they wish for any subsequent semester. These sessions are typically from 4-6pm Mon-Thurs., 11-1 Friday, and 6-8 Friday. You are free to choose which day is best suited to your schedule, but we may ask for particular days due to our needs if you are able and willing to accommodate. All that being said, we know life happens and you can’t always be there, so we go with an 80% of the time rule, and ask for a 24 notice, notifying the Program Manager or Executive Director at 405-606-1818 if you can’t make it.
What is the process of becoming a mentor?
We want to provide our students with high quality individuals who want to work with them in character development. That means, we need people of strong character. There is a written application and a background check we have each mentor complete before spending time with students.
Can I contribute financially as well as being a mentor?
While it is not a requirement by any means, we appreciate all the support we can get to serve our students. Please send checks to:
Touchstone Youth Project
PO BOX 643
OKC, OK 73101
How do you deal with discipline?
Discipline is not a frequent problem because the students want to be here. They are not required to be, nor are we required to let them be. It is a privilege. The Program Director or Executive Director is always available to handle issues or concerns, so mentors are not left out on their own to deal with things, but it is encouraged that discipline is handled as a teachable moment, and often the mentor is the best one to do so, drawing on the relationship they have built with the child. Beyond that, discipline is handled in progression of a verbal warning, sitting out a session, not being allowed to come to a session, and finally expulsion from the program.
What do you do during school breaks or bad weather?
Students and adults both need a break every once in a while. We don’t meet during breaks on the OKC Public Schools calendar. We also follow the school’s lead on bad weather and when they close, we close. We will notify mentors via email when information becomes available during those times.
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