Needs From: Greater Mankato Area United Way

Become a Mentor. Mentors are needed to make the difference in the life of a child. You will develop friendships and help build social skills as well as be opened up to new opportunities with a youth in our Mankato community.  This is a nine month commitment to spending time with a youth, between the ages of 6-14, for 2-3 hours a week.  We have waiting list for both boys and girls to be matched with a mentor.  Currently, boys wait for over a year to be matched and girls wait 6 months.  Please consider this awesome opportunity to give back to a youth that needs you!!  Two lives will be changed!

What can one lunch hour a week do for a young person?  A LOT!!  Help a youth take positive steps in their life by being a caring adult who shows up each week. All of our schools have waiting lists for kids to get a mentor.  You are needed!! AND, you can pick your neighborhood school!  (District 77 schools)

Program Overview:

1) Teachers or other school personnel refer students who could benefit from adult friendship and support.
2) Mentors commit to meeting with the students for an hour a week throughout the school year.
3) Mentors meet one-to-one with the students at the school during the school day.
4) While mentors and students might spend some time on school work, they also engage in other activities (such as playing sports and games, exploring the Internet, doing artwork, writing a story, eating lunch together, talking) that help build a strong relationship.

STRIDE is an interactive program that provides lessons on leadership, character development, healthy choices, goal-setting and cooperation, all within the framework of a fun fitness & running plan.  Participants (boys in 3rd-5th grades and 6th-8th grade)will have lessons twice per week for 10 weeks, and complete the program by running in a 5K event. 

The volunteer coaches will commit to one or two days per week, either Mon/Wed or Tues/Thursday  from approximately 3-5pm.

Volunteers serve as a role model and mentor. Volunteers assist program staff in organizing and leading weekly lessons, interacting and communicating with participants and attending the end of season 5K.