Continuing Education Noncredit
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Glendale Community College Verdugo CampusGarfield Campus Continuing EducationMontrose CampusProfessional Development Center

PEER MENTORS

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CalWORKs Peer Mentors are GCC CalWORKs students, just like you! Peer Mentors have lived through similar experiences, such as applying for CalWORKs and GAIN, taking noncredit ESL classes at Garfield, taking credit classes at Verdugo, figuring out their education major and career goals, balancing all the responsibilities and challenges of being a student-parent, and much, much more. Through one-on-one interactions with CalWORKs students (also known as Parent Scholars), Peer Mentors share their knowledge and lessons learned to help guide, support, and encourage CalWORKs students during new, confusing, and/or difficult times.

A CalWORKs Peer Mentor:

  • Shares their knowledge and experience about GCC and CalWORKs
  • Provides support and guidance to students who need help or feel lost
  • Helps students to understand GCC or CalWORKs better 
  • Helps students to stay focused on their education and career goals
  • Gives information and provides resources about GCC programs and services 
  • Is a trusted ally or advocate to students
  • Is a positive role model to other GCC CalWORKs students

Working with a CalWORKs Peer Mentor can help you to:

  • Gain practical advice, encouragement, and support
  • Learn from the experience of others
  • Learn more about yourself
  • Increase your social and academic confidence
  • Become more empowered to make decisions
  • Develop your communication, study, networking, and personal skills
  • Develop strategies for dealing with both personal and academic issues


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Testimonials:

  • This program was a discovery for me this year. The first month I had conflicting feelings and I could not understand what the peer mentoring program really means and whether it was needed at all, but starting from the second month, I fell in love with this program with all my heart. This is really what I was missing at the beginning of my education. - Marina, 12/04/2020
  • CalWORKs gave me support and guidance when I started college and felt completely overwhelmed with all the new guidelines I had to fulfill to reach my goals. As a Peer Mentor, it has been a pleasure giving back to this program by providing communication, motivation on a personal level for all students in CalWORKs that may come across any situation that they may not be familiar with. - Marycruz, 12/03/2020
  • Peer mentoring is my first experience working in an American professional environment. This program helped me gain so much knowledge and experience. I discovered new skills I was not sure I had. Now I have confidence and know that I can achieve anything I want. This would be impossible or at least very hard without the team I work with. It is an absolute blessing for me and my children. - Ani B., 12/04/2020
  • Margarita is my mentor. She is amazing, always willing to support me whenever I need her help. Margarita is very attentive, lovely and responsible person. She is always there to help me with all the issues that arise during the semester. It is very important to work with someone who is well-informed about everything associated not only with GCC, but also whatever possible directed towards the improvement of the learning environment. I can call her any time, she is ready to provide me with information I need to achieve better results in education. Thank you again for the opportunity of making the education process smooth and pleasant. - Armenuhi S., 12/07/2020

No. Peer Mentors, like CalWORKs staff, work traditional business hours: Mondays to Fridays, 9AM to 5PM.

No. Peer Mentors do not help with homework or other school assignments; they may refer you to the GCC Learning Center or other tutoring services for assistance. Peer Mentors also do not complete your GAIN paperwork for you, but they will give you guidance on how you can fill out your own GAIN documents.

No. During the time that you are working with your assigned CalWORKs Peer Mentor, the relationship is a professional working relationship. Peer Mentors are not your personal companions, best friends, babysitters, potential romantic partners, and the like.

No. Peer Mentors work as guides, coaches, role models, allies, and advisers. They will provide you with all the relevant information to empower you to make the best decisions for yourself and your family.

Peer Mentors are GCC CalWORKs students, just like you! Although your Case Manager and Academic Counselor also provide information, resources, guidance, and support, Peer Mentors can have more first-hand and personal experiences about what it is like to be a GCC student and parent. You may also feel that you can share more with another student than with a professional college staff or faculty member.  

Any GCC CalWORKs student who feels that they could use extra support can request to work with a Peer Mentor. If you are interested in having a CalWORKs Peer Mentor assigned to you, please contact your CalWORKs Case Manager. 

CalWORKs Peer Mentors are paid work-study students of the CalWORKs Parents Program. Students who are interested in applying to become a Peer Mentor must meet our general work-study requirements and these additional requirements:

  • Have a GPA of 2.75 or higher
  • Have minimum of one year as a GCC CalWORKs student
  • Have an open GAIN Vocational program 
  • Available for mandatory meetings and trainings on Wednesdays, 10 AM to 12 PM

Check here for more information and the CalWORKs Peer Mentor job description. 

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