Lake Washington School District - Lunch Buddy Program

The LINKS Lunch Buddy Program connects students with caring adult mentors who visit once a week during the school day. These mentors spend quality time with their student over lunch—sharing a meal, playing games, making crafts, having conversations, or enjoying outdoor activities like walking, soccer, or basketball during recess. Each visit offers students consistent, positive attention from a trusted adult who is there to listen, encourage, and simply be present. It’s a special time that helps students feel valued, supported, and more connected to their school community.

LINKS Lunch Buddy mentors help students feel engaged, supported and challenged which can improve their confidence and help them acquire the skills needed for lifelong success, in school and beyond. Studies have shown that children with mentors are more likely to succeed.

How Mentoring Helps

LINKS Lunch Buddy mentors help students feel engaged, supported, and challenged which can improve their confidence and help them acquire the skills needed for lifelong success, in school and beyond. Studies have shown that children with mentors are more likely to succeed.

Mentoring Promotes

• • Increased self-esteem
  • Better social skills
  • Increased attendance
  • Fewer discipline referrals
  • Improved attitude towards school and the future
  • Improved grades

Mentors make a meaningful difference by spending one hour each week with a student, offering consistent, positive time with a trusted adult. This time can be:

• • A sounding board for thoughts and feelings
  • A source of relief from stress—a break in the day
  • An opportunity for students to feel:
  • Heard
  • Seen
  • Understood and valued

Mentors help students know that their thoughts matter and that someone genuinely cares.

We provide training, support and community connection.

Mentors needed in elementary schools in:

• Kirkland
• Redmond
• Sammamish

If you could make a difference in the life of a child by giving 1 hour a week, would you do it?