YouthFriends is a school-based mentoring effort that links caring adult volunteers from the community with students in schools and is open to all students, grades K-12, within participating school districts. All activities take place on school grounds before, during or after school hours. YouthFriends volunteers typically visit a school for one hour each week to do things like have lunch with a student, help with reading or academic tutoring, share an interest or a hobby or simply listen.

Breakfast Buddy
Eat breakfast with a student or small group of students at the school cafeteria. Be a mentor by assisting your student(s) with a class assignment, discussing a book or just chatting. This is a time to enjoy eating and fun conversation!

Lunch Buddy
Eat lunch in the school cafeteria with an individual student or group of students during their lunch period. This is time to build self-confidence and let the student know he/she is important.

Career Mentor
Share information about your chosen field.

Career Coach
Share information about your occupation and discuss your career experiences with groups of students during a special time. This type of activity may occur during lunch time or at a scheduled career day, job fair, or classroom presentation.

Reading Pal
Help students in grades K-7 practice and improve reading skills so they can gain the confidence necessary to be successful readers. Work with students one-to-one or in small group relationships for a minimum of one semester. Classroom teachers or reading specialists usually monitor student progress. Specialized one-hour mandatory supplemental training provided free-of-charge.

Academic Tutor
Choose your favorite subject - math, reading, writing, science, social studies, computors, music or a foreign language - and work with a student who needs extra attention in that area. You may choose to mentor your student before, during or after school to help give him/her advice and direction in tasks such as completing everyday assignments or developing a challenging project.