Lake County Youth Mentor Program
The mission of the Lake County Youth Mentor Program is connecting youth—grades K-12—with caring adult mentors to enhance both academic and personal achievement.
We are in need of both men and women of all ages, from all walks of life, to mentor Lake County youth, grades K-12. All we ask is one hour a week for one year. It takes patience, time, respect for youth, and a desire to help the youth in our community succeed, both academically and personally.
Do you remember a time when you needed an impartial adult to talk to, someone who would listen and help you make good choices? A lot of youth in our community need someone to fill that role right now. They need an adult friend. That’s where YOU come in. You can help by becoming a youth mentor. A small investment of your time can make a major difference in a youth’s life.
The Process
One-on-one mentoring involves the following process:
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Mentors complete an application that includes employment information and at least four (4) references who are contacted for background information.
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Mentors are fingerprinted at program expense at the Lake County Jail.
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The program checks driving records and sex offender registries.
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Mentors participate in an interview with program staff and a board member.
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Once approved, mentors undergo a three-hour training program.
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At the conclusion of the training program, mentors can choose a youth with whom they believe they have some common interests.
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The mentor is then told the full name of the youth.
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The youth's parents/guardians are contacted to approve a meeting with the mentor and the youth.
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The mentor, the youth, a school representative, and a program representative meet to discuss forming a mentoring relationship.
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At the conclusion of the meeting, the mentor and the program representative leave. The school representative and the youth then discuss whether the youth feels comfortable with the mentor.
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Upon the youth's approval, the mentor and a program representative meet with the parents to discuss the boundaries and responsibilities of the mentoring relationship.
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Upon a successful parent meeting, the mentor and the youth begin their mentoring relationship
Team mentoring involves the following process:
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Mentors complete an application that includes employment information and at least four (4) references who are contacted for background information.
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Mentors are fingerprinted at program expense at the Lake County Jail.
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The program checks driving records and sex offender registries.
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Once approved, mentors undergo a three-hour training program.
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Girl Talk facilitators must complete the following process:
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Facilitators complete an application that includes employment information and at least four (4) references who are contacted for background information.
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Facilitators are fingerprinted at program expense at the Lake County Jail.
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The program checks driving records and sex offender registries.
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Once approved, the facilitator undergo a three-hour training program.
Our Success
Over 75 students have been served via one-on-one mentoring relationships in Lakeview
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90+ students have participated in team mentoring activities throughout Lake County
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20% improvement in grades
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38% decrease in absenteeism rates
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17% improvement in school behavior
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48% improvement in behavior at home
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According to the Lake County School District #7 Behavioral Specialist, "The students in the mentoring program have shown great strides in a variety of capacities including attendance, self- esteem, academics, behavior, interpersonal relationships, school involvement, communication, and conflict management and resolution skills."
In Partnership with
Ford Family Foundation
Miller Foundation
Juvenile Crime Prevention
Silver Family Foundation
JTMF Foundation
Oregon Community Foundation
Trail Blazers Foundation
Roundhouse Foundation
Lake County Commissioners
Lake County Schools
Lake County ESD
Lake County Lions Club
Pacific Power Foundation
Green Diamond Resources
Elks Lodge
Department of Justice- Crime Victim and Survivor Services Division