Generation Hope Sponsor/Mentor

Experience a rewarding personal connection that has a direct impact on a young parent's ability to reach their educational goals and to provide for their family.

Generation Hope reduces the number of families living in poverty one family at a time by providing one-on-one mentoring and sponsorships to teen parents who are attending college in the Washington, D.C., Metro area.

The Scholar program recruits adult volunteers to provide emotional and financial support to increase the likelihood that a young mother or father will graduate from college for the duration of their college career. By becoming part of the social network of adults and community members who care about teen parents, Sponsors can help them develop and reach positive academic, career, and personal goals.

Sponsors can be individuals or organizations (businesses, churches, sororities, community groups, etc.). If an organization sponsors a Scholar, they must designate one person to serve as the point of contact with the Scholar.

Sponsor Role

• Take the lead in supporting a young parent through an ongoing, one-to-one relationship
• Serve as a positive role model and friend
• Build the relationship by planning and participating in activities together
• Strive for mutual respect
• Build self-esteem and motivation
• Help set goals and work toward accomplishing them

Time Commitment

• This is a multi-year commitment. Sponsors mentor Scholars until they earn their Associate's or Bachelor's degrees.
• Spend a minimum of one hour per month one-on-one with Scholar
• Communicate with the Scholar bi-weekly
• Attend an initial morning training session and additional two-hour training sessions twice during each year of participation in the program
• Attend optional Sponsor/Scholar group events, Sponsor support groups, and program recognition events

Financial Commitment

• $2,400 per year - Sponsors full or partial tuition, fees, and books for a Generation Hope Scholar who is attending a four-year college
• $1,200 per year - Sponsors full or partial tuition, fees, and books for a Generation Hope Scholar who is attending a two-year college

Sponsorships are a multi-year commitment.

Participation Requirements

• Be at least 21 years old
• Be a United States citizen
• Reside in Washington, DC, Maryland, or Virginia
• Be interested in working with young people
• Be willing to adhere to all program policies and procedures
• Be willing to complete the application and screening process
• Be dependable and consistent in meeting the time commitments
• Attend Sponsor training sessions as required
• Be willing to communicate regularly with program staff, submit activity information, and take constructive feedback regarding mentoring activities
• Have access to an automobile, auto insurance, and a good driving record
• Have a clean criminal history
• No use of illicit drugs
• No use of alcohol or controlled substances in an inappropriate manner
• Not currently in treatment for substance abuse and have a non-addictive period of at least five years