REFERRALS
OUR PROGRAMS
A child is matched with a screened adult mentor who meets with them out in the community for a few hours each month. This program is best for kids who
need consistent support, real-world experiences, and a positive role model outside of school hours. Parent partnership is essential here. Because meetings
take place outside of school, the match only works when parents stay engaged, help with scheduling, and support the relationship every step of the way.
Students meet with a mentor during their lunch period at participating schools in a structured, supportive setting. Companions for Children provides ongoing
guidance and support to the mentor so they can show up consistently and be the strongest possible source of encouragement for the child. It’s a calm,
steady check-in that gives kids extra connection during the school day. For students with a disability, we offer Lunch Pals+.
Pen Pals takes place in participating 4th and 5th grade classrooms, where students exchange monthly letters with a screened adult mentor. The written
format gives children meaningful practice with reading and writing while also giving them space to express themselves, build confidence, and strengthen
communication skills.
Referrals aren’t accepted for this program. Teachers interested in bringing Pen Pals to their classrooms can reach out to our staff.
World of Work is a two-session program delivered inside an existing high school class. Mentors from the careers students are interested in lead Q and A,
resume reviews, mock interviews, and practical workplace conversations.
Referrals aren’t accepted for this program. Teachers interested in a similar collaboration can reach out to our staff.
Senior Internships are a semester-long opportunity offered through an existing high school class. Students are placed with local businesses where they
job shadow and gain real workplace experience throughout the semester.
Referrals aren’t accepted for this program. Teachers interested in a similar collaboration can reach out to our staff.
StrongHER is a school-based group mentoring program for middle school girls offered in partnership with a local middle school. Sessions focus on
confidence, healthy friendships, boundaries, and leadership, all guided by trained female mentors.
Referrals aren’t accepted for this program. Schools interested in bringing StrongHER to their campus can reach out to our staff.
who can refer
We welcome referrals from teachers, social workers, therapists, guidance counselors, law enforcement, and other professionals.
parents as partners
Parents are true partners in our Community-Based Mentoring program. Because matches meet outside of school hours, the relationship only works when parents stay engaged, help with scheduling, answer calls, and keep communication open with staff. The mentor can show up and do their part, but the match succeeds only when all three people do… the child, the mentor, and the parent.
For our school-based programs, we meet students right where they are during the school day, so parent involvement simply means providing permission and staying informed while we handle the rest.
who may not qualify
While we wish we could support every child, some situations make mentoring unsafe or not the right fit. A child may not be eligible if they are currently experiencing any of the following:
• 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 apply mainly to Community-Based Mentoring. For school-based programs, a counselor or designated staff member confirms the student wants to participate, and a parent permission slip is required. School-based mentoring only works when the student opts in, so no one is enrolled without their interest and consent.
child
participation
Put simply, we want kids to want to be part of this. Whether it’s school-based or community-based mentoring, participation has to be their choice, and a school representative or our staff will check in to make sure the child genuinely wants to take part. Mentoring only works when kids opt in because they feel ready, interested, and open to building a relationship, and that’s the foundation we build every match on.
