Basehor-Linwood's initiative is celebrating its 10-year anniversary in the 2008-2009 school year.  This unique school-based mentoring effort links caring adult and high school volunteers with students in all the district's schools, grades K-12. 

We are located just a few minutes west from the new Legends Shopping Center and the Kansas Speedway, easily accessible from I-70 and K-7 or 4-35 and State Avenue.

We welcome you to the community, into our classrooms as a screened and trained YouthFriend. All activities take place on school grounds before, during or after school hours. YouthFriends typically visit a school for one hour each week to help with reading, spelling, or math. There isa need, especially at the high school level, for mentors who can encourage as both a mentor and tutor focusing one on one in core subjects. This can be done face to face, or through the district's e-Mentoring program.

Classroom Helper
Youthfriends volunteers are matched with classrooms by teacher request. Volunteers work with an individual or a small group of children, or on classroom projects by teacher request.

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

YouthFriends Corps "Care Cats"
Care Cats are Basehor Linwood High School juniors or seniors who are matched with elementary, middle and high school students within USD 458.  This is a half-credit classoffered both fall and spring semesters.  Hours served are honored through the National Points of Light, and can also be used as college service hours with approval from professors.

The YouthFriends Corps Cats Scholarship is sponsored by 10 area businesses.  As Employer Partners,they contribute at least $100.00 each to the YouthFriends program, and pledge volunteer support as YouthFriends.

We proudly salute:  Breuer, Inc., Citizens Savings & Loan, FSB of Basehor, De Soto Veterinary Clinic, Elite Electric, Wynne Coleman of Graham-Welch & Assoc., Heartland Dental of Basehor, Jeremy McDowell of Kansas United States Sports Association (KS USSSA), Miller's Sign Shoppe, Stepping Stones Daycare, Ltd.,and Dayna Miller of S & S Alloy Steel, Inc.

Special thanks to additional program support from the Basehor-Linwood High School Boosters, PowerPlay of Shawnee Mission, Queen's Price Chopper of Bonner Springs, and Simple Simons Pizza of Basehor.

YouthFriends e-Mentoring™
Busy professionals from YouthFriends Employer Partners help connect schoolwork to the "real world" for middle and high school students by exchanging weekly e-mails via the Internet.  Students e-mail from school and adult e-Mentors e-mail from their places of work. At least one face-to-face meeting required. Specialized training provided free-of-charge.

Special Projects
If we haven't listed an activity that appeals to you, let us know. We will be glad to design something that suits your desire to be a mentor to a young person. You choose the time and day of the week that fits with your busy schedule and we'll select the student or group of students who can most benefit from your experience.

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