Become a Mentor: Best Friends Mentoring Program

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Best Friends Mentoring Program matches at-risk, school-aged children from the 8 county area of southwest North Dakota with screened and trained volunteer mentors for positive activities, role modeling and guidance. Mentors spend about one hour each week for one year with their mentee doing mutually enjoyable activities such as participating in or watching sports, talking, crafts, movies, or working on homework and/or reading books. Mentors may select one of two programs: school based mentoring, in which the mentor and mentee meet at the child's school once a week for lunch (free for the mentor) and homework help or playground activities, or community based mentoring, in which the mentor and mentee meet outside of school and work time.

Prospective mentors must be at least 16 years old and at least a junior in high school. High school students age 16-18 are matched exclusively in the school based mentoring program. Adults ages 18 and older may serve in either the school based or community based mentoring program. Prospective mentors must complete an application, consent to a background check (national, local, child welfare and sex offender registry), and submit five references. It takes about one month for the program staff to process an application, including background and reference checks. When those are complete and meet program requirements the prospective mentor will be invited to a two hour orientation session, followed by a personal interview with our program coordinator. Prospective mentors must commit to at least one hour per week at a consistent time and day for at least one year.


Seeking Female Volunteers: Yes

Seeking Male Volunteers: Yes

Minimum Match Commitment (in months): 12 months or longer

Type of Mentoring: One-to-One

Youth Population Served: Academically At-Risk, Foster, Residential or Kinship Care, General Youth Population, Incarcerated Parent, LGBTQ Youth, Low Income, Parent Involved in Military, Physical Disabilities/Special Care Needs, Recent Immigrant/Refugee, Single-Parent Household, Youth with Disabilities

Mentoring Program Goals: Education/Academic Support, Friendship/Socialization, Healthy Behaviors

Ages of Youth Served: 8-10, 11-14, Other