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 Olathe District schools that participate in YouthFriends.

Mentor
Listen to, talk with, do homework with, play games with, be a positive role model for a student.

Lunch Buddy
Meet a student or group of young students on your lunch hour and enjoy eating and fun conversation.

Tutor
Assist elementary, middle school, or high school students with their studies before, during, or after school.

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.

After School Tutor
Assist students at Westview, Fairview or Central Elementary Schools with class assignments and/or other supplied academic work to enable them to succeed on a given task or subject.

After School Mentor
Come to Westview, Fairview or Central Elementary Schools to listen to, talk with, do homework with, and just be a positive role model.

YouthFriends English as a Second Language (ESL) Mentors
YouthFriends ESL Mentors is a special opportunity for volunteers to work one-to-one or with small groups of students in grades K-12 whose native language is one other than English. The goal is to enhance understanding, speaking, reading and writing the new language. Volunteers are not required to speak additional languages to qualify. Specialized one-hour mandatory supplemental training provided free-of-charge.

YouthFriends Corps
YouthFriends Corps provides an opportunity for high school students to volunteer with elementary school students in their own school districts. YouthFriends Corps promotes community service among youth in the hope of making volunteerism a lifelong commitment. Note: Many high school students use YouthFriends Corps hours for service hours.