Mentor Programs
Women Helping Women
(Female only) YW Housing
YW Housing is a private, non-profit agency, which provides permanent and transitional housing linked to necessary community services for homeless or would be homeless women, and women with children in Clark County. Women Helping Women, soon to be renamed Second Step, is a vital MENTOR support program of YW Housing and strengthens our goal to empower women and their families as they complete life planning objectives that move them closer to self sufficiency.
ROCKSOLID Community Teen Center
Free after-school program that offers a safe, fun place to hang out after school with activities, such as gymnasium, pool, air hockey, foosball, mini theater, and a full service cafe’.
YWCA Independent Living Skills (ILS) Program
Our program is set to help youth who are in foster care (referred by their social worker) to prepare to transition into independent living. Once they have been referred they can stay in the program through the age of 21. By partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters, mentors are provided to the program participants as another support to help navigate the system as they prepare to leave foster care and become independent individuals.
CLARK COUNTY JUVENILE COURT-Restorative Mentors
A mentor is not primarily a supervisor or taskmaster. They are first of all, and most importantly, a positive community connection and role model for youth. They are a listening ear, an encourager, a teacher, a fellow community member.
RISE & STARS, Vancouver Housing Authority
Community based, one on one mentoring, matching youth with an adult mentor.
Mentors of Boys
Mentoring boys without fathers, ages 8-13. Program is more group-oriented.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest, Community Based
A mentor, 18 years or older, is matched with a child 6 to 16 years old. The volunteer meets with the youth a couple of times a month for one year and provides a postive adult friendship.
Evergreen Mentoring Initiative
Evergreen Mentoring Initiative is a partnership with support of the Department of Education to provide mentoring services in a school based program within the Evergreen School District.
Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration (JRA) Region Six
Matching young people that are system involved with same gender community volunteers as mentors. Mentors visit mentee at the juvenile facilities at least once a month, and make phone calls the rest of the month.
Silver Buckle Youth Equestrian Center
Assisting at-risk youth through equine therapy.
Lunch Buddy Program, Vancouver Public Schools
Lunch Buddies meet with an elementary school student once a week for lunch. After lunch there is time to play a board game, read or just talk with your buddy. 45 minutes, once a week, can change a life. Children who are currently experiencing changes at home, difficulty at school or those who need a positive role model in their lives are referred by their teachers, counselors and/or school administrators. It is not to teach academics, it is to have fun with your Buddy, display adult behavior, be a good role model and a friend. The benefits of the program to the kids are numerous. The schools report that youth with lunch buddies have improved attendance, grades, and have less disciplinary problems. Adult volunteers report a sense of giving back to the community and to a child that needs them.
New Youth Perspectives
Could you afford to take just 1% of your time each week to make a world of difference in one kid's life? That's right, it only takes 1 1/2 hours per week to spend time completing homework, volunteering, hiking, practicing sports, cooking, building/repairing things, reading, playing music or going to local places of interest like libraries, malls, museums, parks, fairs, etc. with this NYP mentoring program for Eastern European youth in Clark County. These kids, who are ages 12 to 18, have emigrated from former Soviet republics, thus causing them to struggle to learn English, get good grades at school, make friends, develop life skills, and assimilate into their communities; they really need your help to succeed! Be a mentor--make a difference!
Volunteer Connections/RSVP Tutor Program
Volunteer Connections/RSVP recruits and interviews interested volunteers, matching their skills, talents, interests, and time availability to appropriate volunteer assignments. We have agreements with over 250 non-profit organizations, hospitals, nursing homes, schools and government agencies where volunteers can assist. Volunteer Connections/RSVP also works with organizations to identify meaningful volunteer opportunities and develop innovative assignments that meet specific community needs. Volunteer Connections/RSVP serves Clark County and the cities within its boundaries.
YoungLives
YoungLives is a support program for teen mothers. Group meets once a month for food, games, and fun at Vida's Ark, located on Reserve directly across from Hudson’s Bay High School. For those girls who are interested, YoungLives offers mentor relationships. A Christian woman commits one year to investing in the lives of a teen mom and her child. The mentor and her mentee meet weekly for fun, encouragement, and personal growth. Leaders invest in more than one girl and volunteer at the school.
4-H Restorative Community Service Food Bank Garden
Located in Brush Prairie, the 4-H Restorative Community Service Food Bank Garden gives youth an opportunity to complete community service hours in a garden setting. The vegetables that are grown are donated to the food bank. Youth, community volunteers, and a mentor for the court meet weekly for 4 hours. The garden is a collaboration among the WSU Extension 4-H Youth Development Program, the Clark County Juvenile Court, and the Battle Ground School District’s Center for Agriculture, Science and Environmental Education (C.A.S.E.E.). Come and check it out!!! http://clark.wsu.edu/youth/food.
4Results Mentoring Program
4Results is a high quality program that matches adult mentors with youth who are receiving mental health services in Clark County. Children are referred to our program by their mental health therapist and are identified as needing a consistent, trustworthy adult in his/her life to act as a role model for him/her. Mentors choose the child they want to mentor and receive support throughout their mentoring relationship. http://www.4Resultsmentoring.org
Mentor Programs
Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest Mentoring Children of Prisoners
A mentor, 18 years or older, is matched with a child 6 to 16 years old who has a significant person in their life that is currently incarcerated. The mentor meets with the child a few times a month to provide friendship through one-to-one mentoring.
4 Results at Fir Grove Mentoring Program
4Results at Fir Grove Mentoring Program matches adult mentors with youth who attend the Fir Grove Children's Center where they receive their education along with therapeutic support. These youth are identified as having the greatest needs in Southwest Washington. They are 4th through 8th graders who need a mentor to support them in school based and/or community based activities. http://www.4Resultsmentoring.org
Foster Grandparent Program
The Foster Grandparent Program provides opportunities for low-income seniors to contribute to their community as they engage children at-risk on a one-to-one basis in various school and non-profit settings. Foster Grandparents are present with the children they serve on a daily basis. They are involved in many aspects of a child’s day. Education, play, meal time, socializing and building self-confidence. Foster Grandparents bring a special gift with them, their time. Time to listen to children and what they have to say. Along with hugs, smiles and words of encouragement they serve as positive role model for the children at their volunteer site.