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 Richmond District schools that participate in YouthFriends.

Reading Buddy
Read with students K-5 and help them develop better reading skills.

Lunch Buddy
Eat lunch in the school cafeteria with an individual student or group of students during their lunch period. During your time together, you may also serve as a mentor by playing a board game, reading a story, playing on the playground or working on a special project. This is a time to build self-confidence and let the student know he / she is important.

Mentor
Time with a positive adult role model is something kids ask for over and again. Have fun getting to know a student through a variety of activities including sharing a hobby, working on an assignment, playing a game or sport, or just "hanging out." A mentor is a friend and a good listener and helps build the self-confidence students need to succeed in school.

Career Mentor
Career Mentors are special mentors who work with older students to sort out employment and / or educational options after graduation.

Classroom Buddy
YouthFriend volunteers are matched with classrooms by teacher request. Volunteers work with an individual child or a small group of children.