Be a Mentor

make a difference in the life of a youth transitioning from foster care

What do WAY Alliance mentors do?

Mentors focus on developing a relationship with their matched youth and assisting the youth in meeting their personal goals. The mentor and youth meet on a weekly basis for a minimum of four hours a month. View a detailed description of a WAY Alliance mentor (PDF).

What are the requirements for becoming a mentor?

WAY Alliance mentors must:

  • Have an interest in working with youth with foster care experience, 14 through 24 years of age
  • Be at least 25 years of age
  • Attend a Volunteer Information Meeting, submit a mentor application, and complete the screening process, including a complete background check
  • Successfully complete pre-match mentor training (online and in-person) and a post-training interview
  • Agree to complete all required post-match mentor trainings (two per year)
  • Agree to a minimum one-year commitment to developing a relationship with your matched youth (not including time required for screening and training)
  • Commit to meeting with your matched youth every other week for a total of four hours a month minimum
  • Communicate regularly with WAY Alliance staff to submit meeting and activity reports
  • Be willing to travel the required distance to maintain the relationship with your matched youth. (WAY Alliance will make every effort to match you with a youth who resides in your general area.)
  • Have a reliable vehicle, current insurance, and a clean driving record
  • Adhere to all WAY Alliance policies and procedures.

What are the steps to becoming a WAY Alliance mentor?

Because our mentors work with such a vulnerable population, we want to ensure they are well equipped and the right fit for our program and for working with their matched youth. There are six steps that much be successfully completed before you can be confirmed as a WAY Alliance mentor.

STEP 1: Attend an Information Meeting

See the calendar below for upcoming information meeting dates. To sign up for an info meeting (or to schedule a different time for a virtual info meeting) simply complete the form below.

STEP 2: Application

Submit an online mentor application (link provided at the Information meeting).

STEP 3: Interview

If your application is approved, we’ll contact you to set up an in-person interview.

STEP 4: Screening

Upon a successful interview, you can begin the screening process, including a complete background, fingerprinting, and a driving record check.

STEP 5: Training

If you pass the screening process, you can begin mentor training which is the last step before being confirmed as a mentor and being matched with a youth.

Sign Up for an Information Meeting