Parents and legal guardians can enroll their children directly in our Community-Based Mentoring program. We serve kids ages 6 to 18 who would benefit from having another steady, positive adult in their life. During the intake process, we make sure the child understands what mentoring is and genuinely wants to participate — we only move forward when the child opts in.

Matches usually meet twice a month after school, in the evenings, or on weekends. Scheduling is flexible, but consistency matters because kids thrive when adults show up. Activities are always free or low-cost, and mentors keep parents in the loop so you know what’s happening.

Parents are essential partners in Community-Based Mentoring. Because outings happen outside school hours, the match only works when parents help with scheduling, answer calls, and keep communication open with our staff. The mentor can do their part, but the match succeeds only when all three people do — the child, the mentor, and the parent.

This program is for children who would benefit from another steady adult in their life. Some need help with confidence, social skills, or feeling connected. Others simply need someone who listens, spends time with them, and shows up consistently. During enrollment, we make sure your child understands the program and genuinely wants to participate — mentoring only works when it’s their choice.

To qualify for Community-Based Mentoring, children must meet the following:

• A parent or legal guardian is willing and able to participate in the enrollment process, stay in communication with staff, and support the match.
• The child lives in Minot, ND or within a 15-mile radius and plans to stay in the area for at least the next 18 months.
• The child is between 6 and 17 years old at the time of enrollment.
• The child understands what mentoring is and genuinely wants to participate.

While we want to support every child, some situations make mentoring unsafe or not the right fit. A child may not qualify if they are currently experiencing:
• Severe medical or physical needs requiring specialized care
• Recent psychiatric hospitalization, group home placement, or residential treatment within the past six months
• Intensive emotional or behavioral challenges that make participation unsafe or inappropriate
• A history of violent behavior
• Safety risks to themselves or others
• Recent involvement in criminal or delinquent activity

These guidelines help keep the program safe and supportive for everyone.

Put simply, we want kids to want to be part of this. Community-Based Mentoring only works when participation is their choice. During enrollment, our staff checks in to make sure your child genuinely wants to take part. Matches thrive when children feel ready, interested, and open to building a relationship — it’s the foundation of every successful match.