Bethany Christian Services mentoring program serves three youth populations: Domestic Foster Care, Refugee, and Youth Services (for older youth transitioning out of foster care). Currently, we have over 50 youth who have requested mentors and are waiting to be matched. Mentors within our program serve as positive role models who are willing to offer a listening ear and spend quality time with their mentee. The program is community-based, meaning that match activities take place out in the community. Activities might consist of going to the park, working on homework at the library, going out to eat, or other fun/educational activities in the local community. We ask that mentors commit to spending at least four hours per month with their mentee and have their own form of reliable transportation. Also, individuals who are interested must be 18 years of age and go through background checks prior to being matched with a youth.
Specific areas of need include (but are not limited to):
- male mentors for refugee youth in a residential group living home
- male mentors for older youth transitioning to independent living
- male mentors for children and younger youth in the domestic foster care program
- male and female Spanish-speaking mentors for refugee youth
Feel free to visit the volunteer website to watch our mentor videos at http://www.bethany.org/grandrapids/will-you-help
