YouthFriends e-Mentoring™

What is YouthFriends e-Mentoring?

YouthFriends e-Mentoring™ encourages busy professionals from YouthFriends Employer Partners to mentor students by communicating through the Internet. Exchanging weekly e-mails gives students and adults the opportunity to spend time together online.

How does YouthFriends e-Mentoring Work?

YouthFriends e-Mentors can help students explore the Web and learn to e-mail while at the same time discussing common interests related to academics and assisting with assigned projects that help connect school work to the real world. E-mentoring takes a minimum of 30 minutes a week (usually for a semester) and is under the guidance of classroom teachers.  All student communications go through school computers on school grounds during the school day. Adults send and receive e-mail messages at their place of work. All students and e-mentors have at least one face-to-face meeting.

Why YouthFriends e-Mentoring?

National research on successful e-mentoring programs shows substantial benefits to both students and e-mentors.  Students involved in e-mentoring show improvements in reading, writing and computer skills, as well as increased interest in schoolwork. Adults with the potential to be good mentors but lacking the time for regular school visits find e-mentoring to be an ideal way to make a difference for a young person. Whether on a business trip or a tight deadline, the volunteer can maintain regular contact with a student online.

Screening and Training

Like all YouthFriends volunteers, e-mentors complete a volunteer application and are carefully interviewed, screened and trained to work with young people. Training sessions are free of charge and offered regularly.

For more information, contact YouthFriends at 816.842.7082, 913.322.1401, or outside the Greater Kansas City area, 877.842.7082, toll free.