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IN THE COMMUNITY Mentoring Program Pairs Students with Youths at Risk On a typical day, the approximately 25 children enrolled in Manville School at Judge Baker Children's Center can be found working on art projects, taking trips to a museum, or playing a game of basketball. As participants in the Harvard Manville Mentoring Program, they benefit from the mentorship of students from HMS and HSDM, who volunteer to spend time with these youngsters once a week. Manville School, headed by Stuart Hauser, HMS professor of psychiatry and head of the Department of Psychiatry at Judge Baker, provides special educational services for children with emotional, behavioral, learning, or neurological challenges. The Mentoring Program began eight years ago when it was found that some of the children lacked positive adult role models in their lives and would benefit from one-on-one mentorship. In addition to weekly mentoring, student volunteers enroll in a for-credit elective course titled "Mentoring At-risk Children in a Therapeutic Day School," which presents twice-a-month lectures on topics like psychopharmacology, child development, and psychiatric disorders from a variety of instructors. "It is a great opportunity for the medical students to learn and, at the same time, for the kids to be exposed to great role models, the city, and culture," said course instructor Brina Einstein, HMS teaching associate in psychiatry. Lecturers include course director Alvin Poussaint, HMS professor of psychiatry and the School's faculty associate dean for student affairs; Robert Waldinger, HMS assistant professor of psychiatry; Ray Kam, medical director of the Manville School; and Carolyn Newberger, HMS assistant professor of psychology. Einstein welcomes input and contributions from faculty members, especially those interested in child education or service learning. --Galant Au