With a little careful thought, you can make the last meeting of the year more meaningful to your students. Here are some tips:

• Explain to your student(s) that YouthFriends is a school time program so you will not be meeting over the summer.

• Give younger students a calendar. Point out the weeks until school reopens. (Most visits resume in September or the first part of October.)

• Share a few of the qualities that you appreciate about your student (creativity, sense of humor, hard work, perseverance, energy). Let your mentee know how the qualities will help him or her throughout life.

• YouthFriends are encouraged not to give students home phone numbers or addresses. All YouthFriends activities take place during the school day, on school grounds and during the school year.

If you are not able to return in the fall:

Share why you will not be able to meet. Perhaps your work or home schedule has changed or your student is moving to a new school that is too far away. It's important to be clear and direct. Encourage you student to ask for a new YouthFriends volunteer if appropriate.

We hope you plan to volunteer again during the next school year. Your school district coordinator will be contacting you at the end of the summer to help you get reconnected.