School Mentoring
Mentors provide youth with a supportive, consistent adult in their lives. They guide youth in developing and executing goals to increase high school graduation rates. We also promote vocational training, college and secondary education, entrepreneurship, and job exploration.
Transformative relationships
Given the diversity of the communities we serve throughout the country, we conduct mentoring in school, after school, and in our Outreach Centers.
In-School and After-School Mentoring
- The goals of the mentoring program are to deter teen pregnancy, gang involvement, increase high school graduation rates, and foster a love for learning. Mentors provide stability, friendship and support by developing an effective study plan, providing tutoring, and processing the challenges experienced due to unstable housing.
- To support our mentees, we provide weekly life and career counseling, computer access, and homework help.
- We want these junior and senior high teens to understand that we truly believe in them, that they are capable and will be rewarded for their hard work and diligence in education.
Small Group and Center-Based Mentoring
- Many locations utilize the in-center – or small group – mentoring model. In these locations, we provide homeless and at-risk young adults ages 18 to 24 with resources and support needed to overcome challenging situations.
- Since each youth has a different reason for being on the streets, we work individually to meet each one’s specific needs.
- Our program not only provides basic necessities such as food, clothing and toiletries, but also engages mentors to assist with educational support, resume and interview preparation, obtaining birth certificates and developing life skills.
- Mentors set goals, assign homework and obtain referrals to other professionals who are needed to assist with each youth’s specific needs. One of the most important aspects of our program is that goals are set with each youth, with mentors utilized to hold them accountable to achieve each goal.
- Through our mentoring program, our Centers provide a safe, welcoming place for homeless youth to seek companionship in a safe space and openly discuss their problems and achievements.
If you’re interested in becoming a mentor, please head over to our Volunteer page to sign up with your local program.