5 Organizations For Anyone Interested In Mentoring
Having an adult role model is something a lot of us take for granted, but for many young people, an active mentor donating just a little time each week can make a world of difference. These organizations support those who are willing to give that time, helping them to succeed at changing the lives of young people. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
5 Organizations Built on a Belief in Mentoring
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Explore Austin | Matches 6th-grade “Explorers” with caring and committed adults on a six-year journey that uses outdoor adventure to empower youth to reach their full potential |
| empowerHER | Works to support and connect girls and young women who have experienced the loss of their mothers with both virtual and in-person events across the country |
| Lead to Read KC | Free program for Kansas City-area urban schools where kids and volunteers bond over books |
| Be A Mentor | Provides caring adult role models to help youth develop positive relationships that empower them to reach their full potential |
| Scottish Mentoring Network | Membership organization supporting mentorship projects throughout Scotland |
The Value of Lead to Read KC
Important Literacy Statistics
- 12%: Percentage of world population that could read and write in 1820
- 86%: Percentage that could read and write in 2015
- 2/3: Illiterate people worldwide who are women
- 85%: Juveniles who interface with the juvenile court system that are functionally illiterate
- More than 60%: Prison inmates who are functionally illiterate
- 90%: Welfare recipients who are high school dropouts
- 2/3: Students who cannot read proficiently by the end of 4th grade that end up in jail or on welfare
- 53%: Percentage of fourth grade students who said they read for recreation
- 20%: Percentage of eighth grade students who said the same
- 30 million: Number of U.S. adults who cannot read, write, or do basic math above a third-grade level
- 1/6: Young adults who drop out of high school
How empowerHER Is Bringing Young Women Together
In Depth
Very few things in life can be learned entirely from books; most people need the help of those with more experience to achieve their full potential. Recognizing this, many organizations aimed at supporting young people make use of the power of mentoring. In no particular order, here are five groups fostering success through relationships with dedicated role models.
Leading us off at #1 is Explore Austin, which seeks to empower young people from low-income communities through mentoring, outdoor adventure, and leadership opportunities. Beginning in sixth grade, Explorers join a team of fellow youths and adult Mentors for activities including rock climbing, canoeing, and wilderness skills training. These excursions help participants develop confidence and build lasting connections.
Teams at Explore Austin remain together for six years, engaging in skill-building or service-oriented Saturday Challenges, in preparation for annual Summer Wilderness Trips. The organization provides annual reports detailing its impact, and blog posts sharing stories from Mentors and Explorers. Those interested in offering support can make a donation, or volunteer as Mentors or trip leaders.
Teams at Explore Austin remain together for six years, engaging in skill-building or service-oriented Saturday Challenges, in preparation for annual Summer Wilderness Trips.
Following up at #2 is Empower Her. Founded by a breast cancer advocate who lost her mother in childhood, this nonprofit seeks to inspire and uplift girls dealing with a similar loss. The program matches young women with mentors who have dealt with grief and adversity, offering additional sources of support. The group also has a virtual program, enabling participation outside the regions where in-person events are available.
The group's events for girls provide opportunities for connection and growth, including classes, safe spaces for discussion, and a Mother's Day Retreat to face grief with celebration. The Legacy program extends the community to young women transitioning to college and beyond, and the organization offers resources on grief, as well as events for the fathers of participants. Supporters can volunteer, donate, or help with fundraising.
Next in the order at #3 is Lead to Read, a literacy program for schools in the Kansas City metropolitan area. The creation of two former teachers looking to help young people engage with the written word, this organization brings volunteer Reading Mentors into elementary classrooms, to join students in exploring books.
The creation of two former teachers looking to help young people engage with the written word, this organization brings volunteer Reading Mentors into elementary classrooms, to join students in exploring books.
Lead to Read provides resources to help Reading Mentors develop effective teaching methods, and shares testimonials from those who've seen the program in action. The group's blog offers further insights and stories, and gatherings like the Get Schooled event mobilize the community to support literacy. Individuals wishing to contribute can volunteer to assist directly, or make a donation to the program.
Entry #4 is Be A Mentor, an organization in the Charleston, South Carolina region striving to prepare children from low-income communities for success. The group pairs students with attentive role models, beginning with the Lunch Buddies program for developing social and emotional fluency in young students. Goals & Growth Mentoring builds academic and leadership abilities through middle school, and Career Path Mentoring focuses on long-term success.
BAM shares numerous resources for volunteers to use with mentees, including educational tools and activities, as well as podcasts featuring discussions on teaching and mentoring. Anyone inspired by BAM can support the group's work by donating, attending a fundraising event like the Going Places Gala, or applying to work with students.
Anyone inspired by BAM can support the group's work by donating, attending a fundraising event like the Going Places Gala, or applying to work with students.
Closing out our list at #5 is the Scottish Mentoring Network, a membership organization supporting mentorship projects throughout Scotland. This group assists with the creation of new initiatives by providing training resources and learning opportunities, as well as networking events at which members can build connections with experienced professionals in the field.
Scottish Mentoring Network provides an evaluation framework that member organizations can use, for gathering and sharing key information about operations. The group also offers project development assistance, and honors programs that have made a significant impact with the annual Recognition Awards. SMN posts news about its members' efforts, as well as information from the field of mentoring services.
