Volunteers for Youth Information

Youth, ages seven to seventeen, are referred to this program from juvenile court, law enforcement, guidance counselors, teachers, mental health professionals, social workers and parents. The purpose of this program is to develop relationships between mentors and young people. Volunteers are carefully screened and must complete a three-hour training session before being matched. Volunteers are trained to use activities as tools for building trust, teaching life skills and providing experiences that will lead to increased self-esteem in the young person. These relationships are built on activities of shared interest such as hiking, basketball, cooking or reading. The program coordinators provide consistent consultation and training services for the volunteers.