Become a Mentor: The Friends Program

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Mission:

Our Mission is to promote personal development of youth through positive one-on-one role modeling.

Overview:

Friends is a supervised volunteer program designed to provide a close adult relationship for children identified as having special relationship needs by his/her elementary counselor and teachers.

Adult men and women or high school students (Big Friends) are matched with elementary-age children (Little Friends) and they become FRIENDS for at least one school year. The Big Friend and Little Friend designate at least one hour a week for a one-on-one commitment.

Parent/guardian must give permission for acceptance of their child into the program and be present at the time the match is made. No match will be considered complete, nor any activity take place, until parent/guardian, Big Friend and Little Friend meet and agree on the rules of the program.

The Friends Program of Kearney is not considered a recreation, but education for living. The goal of the program is to provide an opportunity for a rewarding relationship of trust and friendship between the Big Friend and the Little Friend.

Mentors need to be able to drive, have auto insurance and time to spend at least one hour, once a week with a mentee. We encourage positive one-on-one role modeling.


Seeking Female Volunteers: Yes

Seeking Male Volunteers: Yes

Minimum Match Commitment (in months): 9 months

Type of Mentoring: One-to-One, Peer

Youth Population Served: Academically At-Risk, Adjudicated/court involved, Foster, Residential or Kinship Care, Gang At-Risk, Gang involved, General Youth Population, Gifted/Talented/Academic Achiever, Homeless/Runaway, Incarcerated Parent, Low Income, Opportunity Youth, Physical Disabilities/Special Care Needs, Single-Parent Household

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

Ages of Youth Served: 7 and under, 8-10, 11-14, 15-18, 18-24