Did you know students with mentors have increased graduation rates, better attitudes about school, and improved attendance, academics, and behavior? Yet 1 in 3 young people will grow up without a mentor.  

Why become a mentor? 

Mentoring guarantees young people that there is someone who cares about them, assures them they are not alone in dealing with day-to-day challenges, and makes them feel like they matter. 

How can I become a mentor?  

We are currently seeking mentors for the 2023-24 school year for our Lunch Buddy program, where we match adults to elementary and middle school students who need a little extra one-on-one attention. View the Lunch Buddy flyer

How do I get started?  

• Fill out a Lunch Buddy Interest form
• Fill out an NTPS volunteer application  
• Complete a mandatory Mentor Training (fall 2023) 
• Fill out a Lunch Buddy Application (post training)  

If approved, your commitment will be:  

• Sign a Lunch Buddy contract  
• Meet weekly with your Lunch Buddy during their lunch/recess hour at their school to play games, do activities, and build a friendship   
• Contact school to reschedule when you are unable to attend on your assigned day  
• Maintain communication with Mentor Liaison regarding concerns, progress.  
• Honor confidentiality, cultural diversity, and consistency 
• Listen, empathize, and empower 

More Questions? Email mentoring@nthurston.k12.wa.us.

Peer Mentoring

NTPS is excited to partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington to relaunch our Peer Mentoring program in 2022-23! We will match high school students with middle school students to meet weekly to play games, discuss life, and build friendships. We also place peer mentors at South Bay Elementary.

• Apply online, or
• If you would prefer a paper application, please contact mentoring@nthurston.k12.wa.us 

Adult Mentors (18+)

We are also seeking 1:1 adult mentors for students of all ages. If you are an adult and wish to participate in school-based mentoring, please fill out an application today and check “site-based mentoring”.  Note: Requires a year-long commitment.

• Adult Volunteer Application Form

Give Something Back (Give Back) provides academic assistance, long-term coaching, and support services to high school students (Scholars) who have experienced barriers to success, such as foster care, homelessness, or the incarceration of a parent.

• Become a mentor to connect and spend time with a scholar while helping them build a career-based educational plan and pursue post-secondary education. Fill out the Mentor Interest Form.
• Provide informational interviews for students interested in your career or industry.
• Provide internship opportunities with your organization to help students gain real-world skills and experience.

We have a host of mentoring opportunities for JBLM soldiers and airmen, including weekly 1:1, small groups, before- and after-school TOGETHER Clubhouse, and the monthly platoon-based Lunch Brigade! View our military mentoring flyer

Learn more about how you can help empower a younger person to achieve their full potential though encouragement, trust, perspective, and friendship. Contact Katie Linfoot, Military Liaison at klinfoot@nthurston.k12.wa.us and complete an NTPS volunteer application to get started.

Pizza Klatch supports LGBTQ+ teens every week in secondary schools across Thurston County and creates a safe and positive school life for them. If you are interested in becoming a facilitator, fill out their application.

Push For Dreams is a nonprofit organization that empowers, supports, and mentors elementary, middle, and high school students through specialized and customized, highly structured, and comprehensive group mentoring. Their model emphasizes social-emotional learning, leadership, character development, and basic life skills curricula. They are currently working with students at Envision Career Academy. 

TOGETHER! Club House provides before and after-school programming for students at four of our schools: Pleasant Glade Elementary, Lydia Hawk Elementary, Chinook Middle School, and Nisqually Middle School. Club House provides young people with homework help, interactive enrichment activities, physical movement, and a safe place to gather with peers. If you want to become a weekly mentor at Club House, please fill out an NTPS volunteer application and email us at mentoring@nthurston.k12.wa.us. We are also looking for guest speakers to discuss their hobbies or job and how they met their goals.

The YWCA Youth Action Circles are a network of youth who care about social justice, learning, and taking action in our community. They are currently active at Nisqually Middle School with a trained facilitator. Volunteer with the YWCA to get involved.