Outreach - L.A.M.P.
What is L.A.M.P.?
L.A.M.P., the Learning and Mentoring Partnership, is a collaboration between the Pittsburgh Public Schools,
Family Guidance, Inc., and area churches, including North Way Christian Community.
The vision of L.A.M.P. is to impact the City of Pittsburgh, one student at a time, by matching a church (or churches)
with a specific Pittsburgh public school to serve and provide mentors to the school’s students. In 2006, as part of
Pastor Jay Passavant’s broad vision of a Church Disturbed, North Way partnered with the District by providing
mentors, services, and resources to the Helen Faison Arts Academy in the Homewood neighborhood in the East End
of the City of Pittsburgh.
Frequenty Asked Questions About L.A.M.P.
Q: Where is the Helen Faison Academy, and why was North Way matched with this school?
A: The Helen Faison Academy is located in two campuses in the Homewood section of the City of Pittsburgh. Completed in 2004, the Primary Campus (K-4, 500 students) is an award-winning learning facility located on Tioga Street. The Intermediate Campus (5-8, 368 students) is housed in the former Crescent Elementary School on Bennett Street.
Q: Where is the Helen Faison Academy, and why was North Way matched with this school?
A: The Helen Faison Academy is located in two campuses in the Homewood section of the City of Pittsburgh.
Completed in 2004, the Primary Campus (K-4, 500 students) is an award-winning learning facility located on
Tioga Street. The Intermediate Campus (5-8, 368 students) is housed in the former Crescent Elementary School
on Bennett Street.
Q: How can I help?
A: North Way has created six teams of volunteers to assist students and families at the Helen Faison
campuses: One-to-One Mentors, Family-to-One Mentors, School-based Mentors, Group Mentors, Prayer Support,
Mobilization Administration.
One-to-One Mentors
Traditional one-to-one mentoring is a commitment to meet exclusively for approximately three hours on a weekly
basis with one young person. One-to-one mentors may take mentees to their homes or to offsite locations mutually
agreed upon offsite locations. Family Guidance, Inc., will interview prospective mentors and facilitate appropriate
matches with children. This type of mentoring is an opportunity to have a significant impact in the life of a child.
| Estimated Weekly Time Commitment: | 3 hours plus travel |
| Training Required: | Yes |
| Travel Required: | To/From Mentee’s Home |
| Background Check: | Act 33 and Criminal Background |
| Contact: | Bryan McCabe (724) 822-7067, missions@northway.org |
Family-to-One Mentors
In Family Mentoring, an entire family works with one young person. The same sex parent is the primary mentor.
Families will meet with students once a week for at least three hours. We stress the need for one-on-one time
with the primary mentor. The Family Mentor model has become popular because of the important lessons families
and mentees learn together.
| Estimated Weekly Time Commitment: | 3 hours plus travel |
| Training Required: | Yes |
| Travel Required: | To/From Mentee’s Home |
| Background Check: | Act 33 and Criminal Background |
| Contact: | Kelly Phillips (412) 367-3803, missions@northway.org |
School-based Mentors
School-based Mentors will come to a school setting to work with students in after school programs, classroom
settings, and lunchroom/ recess/playground venues. The main focus for school-based mentors will be to support
those young people who are having difficulties with academics, staying focused during classroom instruction,
and interacting in social settings. All classroom mentoring will be conducted under the supervision of a
professional educator. L.A.M.P. leaders will tailor your school-based mentoring schedule to your needs and
match you with classes where children need the most help.
| Estimated Weekly Time Commitment: | 2 hours plus travel |
| Training Required: | Yes |
| Travel Required: | To/From Faison Campus |
| Background Check: | Act 33 and Criminal Background |
| Contact: | Deb Dilliplaine (724) 865-2344, missions@northway.org |
Group Mentors
Group Mentors will be called upon to assist during field trips, special role modeling opportunities (e.g., career
days), and several “special events” throughout the year like holiday parties, spring field days, and other community
events. This is an ideal option for those who do not regularly have time during the workday, but, with some advanced
notice, can arrange to make time for special events. Those with event planning, theatrical and athletic background
will find a welcome home on this team.
| Estimated Weekly Time Commitment: | Varies |
| Training Required: | Yes |
| Travel Required: | To/From Faison Campus |
| Background Check: | Act 33 and Criminal Background |
| Contact: | Bryan McCabe (724) 822-7067, missions@northway.org |
Prayer Support
For all of the time and effort our teams give to helping the children and families at Helen Faison, we know that
we will not succeed unless we are humble enough to depend on God’s grace to accomplish His will. We are constantly
aware of The Enemy’s desire to distract and discourage us. The Prayer Support Team will often meet in person, but
may participate from their own homes. events. Those with event planning, theatrical and athletic background will
find a welcome home on this team.
| Estimated Weekly Time Commitment: | 2 hours |
| Training Required: | No, but training is available and recommended. |
| Travel Required: | Minimal |
| Background Check: | No |
| Contact: | Arleen Braun (724) 935-1776, missions@northway.org |
Mobilization / Administration
Every organization of the scope of the L.A.M.P. ministry at North Way requires timely administrative support. With
over 100 active volunteers, the importance of communication is high. Mobilization Administration volunteers assist
program leaders in contacting volunteers and other North Way members about L.A.M.P. activities throughout the school
year. Typically, MA volunteers make phone calls, send out letters, and provide administrative support for the
leaders. Secretarial and clerical skills are helpful, but certainly not required.
| Estimated Weekly Time Commitment: | 1 hour |
| Training Required: | No |
| Travel Required: | To North Way, as appropriate. |
| Background Check: | No |
| Contact: | Rusti Null (724) 934-6124, missions@northway.org |
More Frequenty Asked Questions...
Q: Why do I need training?
A: The introductory training combines basic mentoring skills training with an orientation to the Faison
Academy and its community. Through our partnership with Family Guidance, Inc. – the most successful and experienced
faith-based mentoring organization in Pittsburgh – we want to equip all of our volunteers with the tools they need
to be successful. These tools include essential training in mentoring and cultural proficiency provided by
Pittsburgh Public School District’s expert consultant team. While some of our volunteers are experienced
educators and community activists, they have all been enriched by the high quality of training provided by
Family Guidance, Inc. The next L.A.M.P. volunteer training sessions will be held as follows:
Mentoring Training - Monday, March 31st 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm, North Way Wexford
Cultural Proficiency Training - Saturday, February 23rd 8:30 am - 12:30 pm, Faison Primary School
Please contact Bryan McCabe (724) 822-7067 if you have questions.
Q: Is there a minimum time commitment to be a mentor?
A: Yes. When you agree to become a mentor, we require a minimum one-year commitment. Experienced mentors have identified consistency and reliability as important issues in the lives of the children we seek to serve. In some cases, it may take close to a year to develop a meaningful relationship with a child on a weekly basis. If this is a requirement, because of your other commitments, you believe you cannot fulfill, that is perfectly acceptable. As you can see, there are a number ways to serve the children.
Q: Do I need a certain educational or professional background to be a School-based Mentor?
A: No. You only need a heart to serve these kids who face so many obstacles to learning. Experience with teaching and/or raising children is helpful but not necessary. Mastery of academic skills - mathematics, reading, writing, science, and others - is NOT required.
Q: In L.A.M.P.’s first year, were we able to make any academic progress?
A: Yes! Whether it was improved grades, higher standardized test scores, fewer absences or disciplinary incidents, God has done significant work in the lives of Faison Primary and Intermediate students. Many of our mentors report significant improvement by the children they are serving.
Q: May I serve on more than one team at a time?
A: Yes, many of our volunteers participate on a number of levels in L.A.M.P. It is not unusual for a volunteer to tutor students and serve as a One-to-One or Family-to-One Mentor. The only limit on your participation is your time.
Q: What is Family Guidance?
A: Family Guidance is a comprehensive faith-based resource agency that provides training, support, supervision, and coordination for the L.A.M.P. mentors.
Contact Information
Bryan McCabe, Director L.A.M.P. and City Mobilization
(724) 822-7067, missions@northway.org
Joanne Galinowski, Mentoring Supervisor, Family Guidance, Inc.
(412) 741-8550, missions@northway.org
Errika Fearbry Jones, Director, L.A.M.P. and Gang Free Schools and Communities, Pittsburgh Board of Education
(412) 622-3930
