Be a Mentor: Be the Difference!
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Just one hour, once a week, can impact a student for life!
What is a mentor?
A mentor is a trusted advisor, friend, role model, motivator, listener, and coach who can help empower and support a young person.
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.
- Students with mentors have increased graduation rates, better attitudes about school, and improved attendance, academic performance, and behavior.
- Giving back to a young person and getting involved in community schools can lead to personal growth, a sense of fulfillment, and expanded professional development.
Do I need any special qualities to be a mentor?
Mentors need to be willing to listen, empathize, encourage, and empower their mentees. They also need to honor confidentiality, cultural diversity, and consistency. Training and support will be provided to all mentors.
How can I become a mentor?
Our Lunch Buddy program screens and matches adults with elementary and middle school students for weekly, hour-long meetings at the school during the student’s lunch/recess. You can play games, do craft activities, talk, and build an authentic friendship. It’s fun!
How do I sign up?
Fill out the Lunch Buddy Interest Form:
Our Mentor Program Liaison will reach out to you to schedule online mentor training. Both an NTPS volunteer application (including background check) and a mentoring application with references are also required.
Big Brothers Big Sisters
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Our Peer Mentoring Program (in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Washington) matches high school students with middle school students for weekly 1 hour meetings after school to play games, discuss life, and build friendships. We also place peer mentors at South Bay Elementary. It’s a great way to get volunteer hours and be the person you wish you had in middle school! To get started, apply online.
Other community mentoring opportunities
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Give Something Back (Give Back)
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.
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Military Mentors
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.
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Pizza Klatch
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.
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Push for Dreams
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.
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TOGETHER! Clubhouse
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.
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YWCA Youth Action Circles
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.