Youth Mentoring

Goodwill Youth Mentoring programs place youth with adult mentors. Mentors provide youth the chance to develop the skills they need to live a successful life. Mentors give guidance, support, and encouragement. Consequently, they help youth build character, gain confidence, improve in school, and develop meaningful relationships.

GoodGuides® Youth Mentoring at YouthHQClick Here to print information on GoodGuides® Youth Mentoring @ YouthHQ

Mentoring relationships help youth have greater confidence and make better decisions. Through mentoring, youth develop skills to achieve goals and reach their fullest potential. Mentoring activities are educational, recreational, and relationship building.

Mentees take part in YouthHQ @Goodwill services and in a matched mentor relationship. As a result, they will improve their social skills, develop meaningful relationships, and are less likely to engage in risky behaviors.

Local agencies or school systems refer youth to the mentoring program. Also, youth and/or parents may complete an interest form and a YouthHQ staff member will contact them. The majority of the funding for the program comes through Goodwill.

Roanoke City, Virginia youth ages 11 to 21 are eligible for the mentoring program.

Franklin County Youth MentoringClick Here to print information on Franklin County Youth Mentoring

The Franklin County Youth Mentoring program uses the Big Brothers Big Sisters model. Mentors help youth be successful in school and avoid risky behaviors. They help youth improve their social skills and learn to develop meaningful relationships. Youth who have committed crimes gain confidence and have a better chance to graduate on time. As a result, they also reduce their risk of reentering the criminal justice system.

Volunteer mentors provide guidance, support, and encouragement youth need for character development. The program helps them achieve greater confidence, better relationships, and success at school.

Upon enrollment youth will complete assessments and be matched with a mentor. The youth and their mentor will meet at least 4 hours a month, for 12 months.

Franklin County Court Services, local agencies and school systems refer youth for mentoring. Youth and/or parents may also complete an interest form and a Goodwill staff member will be in contact. The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention provides funds for the program.

Youth ages 12 to 17 living in Franklin County, Virginia are eligible for mentoring.

Youth Mentoring Benefits Everyone

Mentoring programs help youth learn to lead successful, responsible lives. Mentors help them learn to resolve conflicts and accept responsibility. The mentoring experience creates positive outcomes for youth, mentors, and the community.

  • Benefits for Youth. Better school performance, higher graduation rates, stronger communication skills, and greater self esteem
  • Benefits for Mentors. A sense of accomplishment, community pride, self-respect, and appreciation of diverse backgrounds
  • Benefits for employers. Community image and awareness of mission, a prepared workforce, and advanced diversity goals
  • Benefits for communities. Decreased rate of substance abuse, teen pregnancy, school dropout, and juvenile crime.

Become a Youth MentorAfrican American man talking to African American Youth sitting side by side

Youth mentors volunteer to support, guide, and be a friend to a young person for at least one year. Mentors can help youth develop and reach positive academic, career, and personal goals.

Youth Mentors will:

  • Be a responsible, caring adult.
  • Work with parents and guardians to provide support, guidance, and friendship.
  • Be a constructive example to the youth.
  • Be a good listener with a desire to bring out the strengths of the youth.
  • Provide an in-depth assessment of the individual youth’s needs.
  • Become involved through one-on-one interaction with the youth.

To become a Youth Mentor you must:

  • Be at least 21 years of age (at least 16 years old for peer mentors).
  • Pass a Background Check. This includes criminal, National Child Abuse Registry Sexual Offender Registry, and driving record.
  • Adhere to all Goodwill policies and procedures.
  • Agree to a one-year commitment to the program.
  • Commit to spending at least 4 hours a month with the mentee.
  • Communicate with the mentee weekly.
  • Take part in other career-focused activities with mentees, up to 2 hours per month.
  • Complete screening interview, orientation, initial training, and on-going mentor training as required.
  • Communicate with the Goodwill coordinator and submit monthly meeting and activity information.
  • Have access to reliable transportation to reach mentoring locations.
  • Not use alcohol in excess.
  • Not in be treatment for substance abuse. Or if substance abuse has occurred in the past, be non-addictive for at least five years.
  • Lastly, not currently be in treatment for a mental disorder. And have not been hospitalized for a mental disorder in the past three years.

Complete the Mentor Referral Form

For more information e-mail info@goodwillvalleys.com or call (540) 581.0620 option 2.