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.

Did you know students with mentors have increased graduation rates, better attitudes about school, and improved attendance, academics, and behavior?

We are currently seeking mentors for the 2023-24 school year for our Lunch Buddy program, where we match adults to elementary students who need a little extra one-on-one attention. We ask for a one-year commitment to weekly meetings during the lunch hour/recess. Play games, make crafts, and build trust and friendship! (This is not a tutoring program.) View the Lunch Buddy flyer

NTPS volunteer application (includes a background check) and mandatory mentor training are required. Call 360-412-4487 to find out more or email mentoring@nthurston.k12.wa.us.

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 Salish Middle School with a trained facilitator. Volunteer with the YWCA to get involved.