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 in participating Charter Schools of Kansas City, Missouri, grades K-8. 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 (7:30-8:15 a.m.)
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.
Reading Pal
Help students in grades K-6 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 monitor student progress and appreciate input from the YouthFriends volunteer. Check with the YouthFriends office about supplemental training.
Academic Tutor
Choose your favorite subject – math, reading, writing, science or social studies – 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.
Extended Care Tutor (4:00-6:00 p.m.)
Many Brookside students are part of the Extended Care program. They have study hall and tutoring after their academic day. Choose your favorite subject – math, reading, writing, science or social studies – and work with a student who needs extra attention in that area.
YouthFriends English Language Learners (ELL) Mentors
This is an opportunity to work one-to-one or with small groups of students whose native language is other than English. The goal is to enhance understanding, speaking, reading and writing English as their new language. Volunteers are not required to speak additional languages to qualify. Check with the YouthFriends office about supplemental training.
Special Projects
If we haven’t listed an activity that appeals to you, let us know. We can work with you to design something that suits your desire to be a mentor to one of our students or a small group. |
