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.

Click here to view the Kansas City, Kansas District schools that participate in YouthFriends.

Breakfast Bunch and Lunch Bunch Reading Group
Meet with young people in a small group to read favorite books. Breakfast Bunch is available at B. Caruthers and Banneker Elementary Schools. Lunch Bunch is available at Rosedale and Argentine Middle Schools and B. Caruthers and Banneker Elementary Schools. (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)

Rolling Readers
Read to children once a week for one hour.

Girl Power/Gentlemen of Distinction
Support group concentrating on academics, life skills and prevention. Available at Argentine Middle School, two times per month. KU Medical students would be mentor support to an ongoing program. Program is implemented in elementary and middle schools.

Reading and Read Alouds
Meet with young people in a small group to read favorite books. Reading groups are available at Banneker, Frank Rushton, B. Caruthers, M.E. Pearson, Quindaro and Whittier Elementary Schools. Read Alouds and tutoring are also available at Argentine, Central, Northwest and Rosedale Middle Schools. (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)

Garden Project
Mentors are needed to encourage young people in their knowledge base and hands-on gardening. Humming bird migration and butterfly observation will be part of the scientific study. Come join the fun, get your hands dirty and put a smile on a child’s face. Available at Banneker, B. Caruthers, M.E. Pearson and Quindaro Elementary Schools and Argentine Middle School. Flexible days and after school are available.

Math, Science and Reading Tutors
Volunteers are needed at Harmon, Sumner and Wyandotte High Schools; Argentine, Central Northwest and Rosedale Middle Schools; and Frank Rushton, B. Caruthers and Banneker Elementary Schools.