Volunteer

If you would like to become a volunteer Mentor or Study Buddy, click the "Become a Mentor" button at the top, right side of this web page, and download the Mentor Application Form. You can also contact us to request a form by mail.

Once you have completed the form, send it back to us, and we will get the process started.

Not interested in being a mentor at this time but still want to be involved? We can ALWAYS use volunteers for help in the office, with fundraising events, and with group activities. Please contact us for ways you can get involved.

What is involved in becoming a One to One mentor or study buddy?

Apply: Fill out an application and return it to One to One.
Submit Personal References: Provide four names/addresses of personal references who we will contact. Responses are confidential.
Agree to a Background Check: Give us permission to run a background check. Hand in Fingerprints (form given in application), please contact us to send fingerprint card and instructions if you are downloading the application from the website.
Submit Proof of Automobile Insurance: Provide us a copy of your insurance.
Interview: After we receive your references and clear your background check, we will schedule an interview to learn more about you so we can make a great match.
Meet Your Match: One to one will organize a match meeting with your mentee or study buddy, his/her parent(s) and a staff member to make introductions, discuss expectations and schedule meeting times.
Start Mentoring: At the match meeting you will set your first meeting and away you go. One to One will provide support and activity suggestions.
Utilize ongoing support, check-ins, goal-setting and workshops: One to One will be an ongoing resource providing workshops, tips, activity ideas and check-ins.

What are the mentor’s or study buddy’s responsibilities?

Spend consistent, quality time with your mentee. We recommend meeting once or twice a week (usually a set day agreed upon by mentor, mentee and parent). Check-in by phone if you are out of town. Consistency is the key to a successful relationship.
Make sure your mentee is safe when you are together and safely returns home or to his/her next activity.
Communicate with One-to-One staff at least once a month, seek support and/or advice from One to One when needed, attend One-to-One sponsored events, workshops and goal-setting meetings.
Mentors are not expected to pay for outings. One to One has established business partners who offer complimentary items to mentees and some scholarship money to help finance mentees in extracurricular programs.

A mentor helps by…

listening and asking questions to draw out the youth
encouraging and giving positive feedback
looking for resources
being an advocate
being an adult who can be trusted
challenging behavior that has negative consequences
being honest and open about who they are
resolving conflicts with the mentee as they arise
being a consistent presence in a youth’s life

“Affirming words…are like light switches. Speak a word of affirmation at the right moment in a child’s life and it’s like lighting up a whole roomful of possibilities” – Gary Smalley