Mentees - Participating students are identified by school counselors, teachers, and other key staff as they have identified:

• Need a Positive Adult Role-Model

• Demonstrate Poor Social Skills, Attendance or Self-Esteem

• Display Behavioral Issues, Inappropriate Attention Seeking Behaviors or Lack of Interest in School

Mentors - Local adult volunteers (age 18+) who have completed Companions for Children’s screening process and can commit to volunteering for one school year (August–May).

Mentors and students meet one-on-one during lunch to build a connection through conversation and simple activities. Each meeting includes access to pre-planned activities designed to help break the ice and encourage meaningful conversation in a relaxed setting.

Matches meet twice per month during the student’s lunch period, making this a consistent yet manageable volunteer opportunity within the school day.

Mentors provide a child with someone they can talk to, confide in, and share their thoughts with. At its core, mentoring ensures that young people know someone cares about them, that they’re not alone in facing life’s day-to-day challenges, and—most importantly—that they matter.