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About Us
MentorsMatter is a collaborative effort to promote
the benefits of mentoring and to educate the community about the needs of
at-risk youth in Boulder County. The member organizations work together to
recruit adults from the local population, with an emphasis on recruiting males
and Latinos, to be mentors, advisors, and tutors for the many youth waiting
to be matched with a caring adult role model.
MentorsMatter offers a variety of opportunities to share some time with one of the many at-risk youth living in Boulder County. We are dedicated to matching you with a program that fits your schedule and style.
Think you’re too busy? The volunteer opportunities vary from a few hours a week, to a few hours a month, so we can definitely find a program that works with your busy schedule. Mentoring does not require any specialized skills—just the ability to have fun with a child, ranging in age from 5-17.
You will be matched either one-to-one, or in a group setting, with people that share the same interests. Either choose your own activities: hiking, sporting events, theater, picnic, ect, or attend activities held at the partner agencies. Training and ongoing support is provided.
For more information e-mail Mentors Matter
MentorsMatter is a collaboration between:
- Partners Mentoring Youth
- "I Have a Dream"® Foundation
- Boulder County Department of Housing and Human Services
Mentoring
and Tutoring Program
- YWCA EDGE: Girls Empowerment Program
- Boulder Enhanced Supervision Team (B.E.S.T) Mentoring
Organization
- The Mental Health Center Serving Boulder and Broomfield
Counties
- Boulder Valley School District
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado
- RSVP Senior Corps
- Volunteer Connection
In The News
Join Me and the First Lady in Helping Youth. more . . .
Mentors Matter Month Declared. more . . .
Read about filling family gaps with Mentors. more . . .
Read about how a $5000 grant will affect MentorsMatter. more . . .
Read about how local groups combine to search for volunteers. more . . .
Read the City of Boulder's "MentorsMatter Month" Declaration. more . . .
Read a Colorado Daily article about MentorsMatter and Laurie Rhoads. more . . .
Questions and Answers
Q. What is Mentoring?
A. Mentoring is:
· People helping youth to succeed
· Individuals who volunteer to establish a trusting relationship with
a young person
· A relationship between an adult (mentor) and a youth (mentee) with
modest time requirements—usually a few hours a week.
Q. Why Should I Mentor?
A. Youth who are matched with a mentor benefit tremendously:
· Improve their self confidence
· Increase their interest in school, and healthy activities
· Improve their relationships with peers and family members
· Decrease their chances for getting involved in drug and alcohol abuse
Q. What Do I Gain from Mentoring?
A. Mentors benefit as much, if not more than the mentees:
· Improve their morale
· Learn more about themselves
· Improve their own values
· Get a fresh perspective on their lives
· Feel more satisfied
Q. Will I Make a Good
Mentor?
A. You don’t need a background in education or counseling.
The best mentors are:
· Reliable and Consistent
· Patient
· Non-Judgmental
· Confidential in all matters
· Good communicators
· People with a good sense of humor
Mentors will go through a comprehensive screening and training process, which includes a volunteer application, background check, and an inquiry about mentor’s interests. Some programs require proof of outstanding driving records, fingerprints, and letters of recommendation.
Q. How do I Pick the
Right Program for Me?
A. Make sure you pick a program that fits well with your schedule
and style. Here are some questions to ask:
· Where does the mentoring take place?
Usually this takes place at the mentoring organization, or at local schools.
Locations will be throughout Boulder County.
· What is the required time commitment?
Some programs require 2-3 hours each week for a minimum of 6 months, others
as for a few hours per month for at least one year. Check with the program
Volunteer Coordinators for specifics.
· What types of Mentoring does the program offer?
Most of the mentoring is done one-to-one with a mentor and mentee, but there
are programs that offer circle-mentoring, in a group setting as well, if this
is something that interests you.
· What kind of training is offered?
There will be an initial training and orientation before you are matched with
your mentee, as well as ongoing support. You will always have the opportunity
to ask questions, and seek guidance from program staff.
· How long can I expect between when I sign up and when I am
matched with
a youth?
This will vary for each program, depending on the amount of background checks
needed, date of next orientation/training session, ect, but you should expect
a couple weeks before you get started.
*Some information provided by Dr. Weinberger’s “Mentoring: A Movement” book at www.hsph.harvard.edu
If you have any other questions about becoming a mentor, you can contact the MentorsMatter coordinator at mentors@volunteerconnection.net or 303-444-4904.
Member Agencies
Partners Mentoring Youth
Partners Mentoring Program matches high-risk youth
with screened and trained adult volunteer mentors. Youth are referred to the
program by other professional youth-serving agencies who have recognized that
the children will benefit from a positive adult role model. Mentoring is community-based
and serves youth ages 8-17. Mentors must commit to spending 1 year with their
mentee and be at least 20 years old. Orientations take place at Partners’
office in Longmont.
One-to-one Mentor (Senior Partner): Once matched in a one-to-one partnership, spend 3-5 hours per week with an at-risk youth for one year. Share experiences, learn new things together, and attend Partners’ activities and life-skills workshops.
Waiting Youth Volunteer: Chaperone an at-risk youth waiting to be matched in a one-to-one mentoring relationship at Partners’ sponsored monthly activities, workshops, and special events. This is a good way to try out being a mentor or get involved in our program without having to commit a full year.
Elder Mentor (Sage-ing volunteer): This is an intergenerational
partnership for Senior citizens, where a senior citizen volunteers to meet
at least once a month with an ongoing one-to-one partnership.
Contact: Susi Keith
Website: www.bcpartners.org
E-mail: volunteer@bcpartners.org
Phone: 303-772-1411
"I Have a Dream"® Foundation
“I Have a Dream” Foundation of Boulder County (IHAD) is a long-term
dropout prevention program. All of the youth involved in the program are low-income.
The foundation adopts a group of children in elementary school and works with
them through high school. Tuition assistance is provided upon high school
graduation. Serves youth ages 7-17.
Mentor: Spend at least 4 hours per month as a one-to-one mentor to a low-income youth, providing academic assistance as needed, doing fun activities in the community, and attending IHAD regular and special events. Mentors must have transportation with proof of insurance and valid driver’s license. Mentors must commit to meeting with their mentee for one year and be at least 18 years old.
Tutor: Work once a week for at least one semester with a child or group of children providing academic assistance at one of IHAD’s after school sites in Boulder, Lafayette, or Longmont.
Contact: Cathie Williamson
Website: www.ihadboulder.org
E-mail: cathie.williamson@ihadboulder.org
Phone: 303-444-3636 x19
Boulder County Department of Housing and Human
Services Mentoring
and Tutoring Program
Boulder County Department of Housing and Human Services
Mentoring and Tutoring Program provides one-to-one mentors and tutors for
children in the Social Services’ caseload. Mentoring is community-based.
Serves youth ages 5-17. Develop a supportive, healthy relationship with a
child or teen victim of abuse or neglect.
Mentor: Spend 2-3 hours per week for 9 months with a child in the Social Services’ caseload, living at home or in foster care. Help with school work and enjoy fun activities in the community together. Mentors must be at least 20 years old and have transportation with proof of insurance and valid driver’s license.
Tutor: Spend 2 hours a week for 3 months providing academic support and tutoring to children in our child protection or adolescent services caseloads. The tutoring program runs during the school year. 8 hours training required. Placements generally run concurrent with school semesters.
Contact: Donna McCraith or Thomi Quackenbush
Website: www.co.boulder.co.us/volunteer/opps_children.htm
E-mail: socialservicesvolunteer@bouldercounty.org.
Phone: 303-441-1053
YWCA EDGE: Girls Empowerment Program
The YWCA E.D.G.E. Program is a group of programs with
the primary goal of empowering girls. These programs are designed to teach
leadership and life skills, to build self confidence, to foster community
awareness, and to work toward the elimination of racism. The aim is to foster
a group of girls who have the skills, confidence, resilience, and adaptability
to succeed in the future. The programs take place on a semester basis and
work with girls from ages 8-18. All mentoring is done in a group setting.
Time commitments vary, but average around 2.5 hours per week for 12 weeks.
Mentors must be at least 18 years old. Volunteer needs:
Bold Girls: 2nd - 4th grade, creative writing, also 2-5 grade collaboration with YMCA in BVSD, classes offered in Fall and Spring.
Bolder Girls: 4th – 6th grade, journalism class with Camera newspaper, classes offered in Fall and Spring.
Boldest Girls: 6th – 8th grade, digital storytelling using digital cameras and moviemaker, promotes community activism and working for social change, classes offered in Fall and Spring.
Teen Parent Graduation: High School, teaching teen parent’s career and life skills, programs run during BVSD school year.
Puente Program: High School (8th grade graduates going into 9th grade), bridge program to ease the transition from middle school into high school. Works with girls going into Boulder High, program runs from June through November after school.
Wired Girls/Boys Mentor: Middle School, use digital
cameras to take pictures and turn them into works of are, classes offered
in Fall and Spring.
Contact: Stacey Korn
Website: www.ywcaboulder.org/programs/edge.html
E-mail: stacey@ywcaboulder.org
Phone: 303-443-0419
Boulder County Enhanced Supervision Team (B.E.S.T.)
Mentoring Program
B.E.S.T. Mentoring Program provides mentoring
and guidance to adolescents ages 11-17 involved in the juvenile justice system
by building positive and ongoing relationships. Mentors will have the opportunities
to develop these relationships through regular one-on-one meetings. The goal
is to provide adolescents with positive role models, community connections,
and a support system that will motivate them to successfully move through
the system. Volunteer Requirements:
An ability to work effectively with at-risk youth and to
interact with them in a positive, appropriate, supportive and respective manner.
Prefer some understanding of child development and adolescent behavior. Must
be at least 21 years of age, possess a valid Colorado Driver’s License,
and pass a criminal background check. An average of 3 hours per week for 12
months is required—days of the week and times are flexible.
Contact: Anne Brubacher
Website: www.co.boulder.co.us/volunteer/opps_crimjust.htm
Email: abrubacher@bouldercounty.org
Phone: 303-441-4890
The Mental Heath Center Youth Advocacy Program
The Youth Advocacy Program provides support
to youth in the community with behavioral, emotional and mental health issues
through one-on-one advocacy. The advocates wear many hats; they act as teachers,
listeners, protectors, advisors, supervisors and role models.
Why Volunteer:If you are currently, or are planning on working in the human service field or applying to graduate school, you must have direct experience to be a viable candidate. In this program, you will obtain excellent clinical experience along with close supervision. The Mental Health Center provides excellent training and ongoing supervision for any person wishing to support youth in our community.
Requirements: 2 to 4 hours a week one-on-one client time, completion of minimal paperwork and attendance at one-hour, bi-weekly supervision meetings. Approximately 9-12 month commitment; must be 21 years or older, have a valid Colorado drivers license, a clean driving record, and own your own car.
Contact: Karla Kruse
Website: www.mhcbc.org
E-mail: kkruse@mhcbbc.org
Phone: 720-406-3681
The Community Access Mentoring (CAM) Program
The Community Access Mentoring (CAM) Program
provides school-based mentoring to 6th, 7th and 8th grade students (ages 10-15)
in Boulder County Middle Schools. CAM mentors are known as Access Coaches
(AC) because they are trained to build effective relationships in a child’s
life, as well assist students and their families in accessing quality after-school
programs. ACs meet with students during the school day in the following schools:
Casey, Manhattan, Angevine, Centennial, Broomfield Heights, Monarch, Nederland,
Platt and Sacred Heart. CAM mentors are provided with comprehensive training
and ongoing support to maximize their effectiveness.
Requirements: Minimum of 1 hour a week, completion of 2 hours of formal training, participation in ongoing monthly trainings, and ability to make a one year commitment. Must be 18 years of age and pass a comprehensive background check as well as reference check.
Contact: Patti Ashley, CAM Coordinator
Website: www.bvsd.org/mentor
Email: patti.ashley@bvsd.org
Phone: 720-203-6844
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters matches youth 7-12 years old in one to one mentoring
relationships. In the Community Based Mentoring Program, matches meet 2-4
times per month for 3-5 hours each time, doing various activities of their
choosing. Services are focused on the rapidly growing number of elementary
aged youth who qualify for Free and Reduced School lunch (live at or below
185% of Poverty) and who live with a single parent or caregiver.
Big Brothers Big Sisters also offers a Sports Buddies Program, and various site based programs run out of the Denver office.
Programs are designed to serve youth by providing them with safe, quality mentoring relationships that help them reach their full potential by:
improving their sense of self and community;
achieving a greater sense and awareness of their future; and
improving their school performance.
Potential volunteers need to complete a two hour informational training, an in person interview, and pass background checks. Upon approval, they will be matched with a youth in their community who fits their activity interests, personality, and background.
Contact: Chris Sautter, Volunteer Recruiter
Website: www.biglittlecolorado.org
Email: chriss@biglittlecolorado.org
Phone: 303-433-6002 x 414
RSVP Senior Corps
RSVP’s mission is to mobilize volunteers
aged 55+ to meet community needs and to promote the security, independence
and comfort of seniors and adults with disabilities. RSVP engages seniors
and adults with disabilities as intergenerational mentors.
Contact: Jody Sandel
Website: www.rsvpboulder.org
E-mail: jodysandel@rsvpboulder.org
Phone: 303-772-2262
How to get Started:
Volunteer Connection
The mission of the Volunteer Connection is to engage people as volunteers
and strengthen volunteer-based programs, improving the quality of life in
Boulder County.
MentorsMatter Contact Information
If you would like more information on how to get involved, or are just
interested in learning more about our programs, please contact Sue McCullough,
MentorsMatter Coordinator at mentors@volunteerconnection.net
or call 303-444-4904.
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!
MentorsMatter is funded in part by the following organization:
