The role of a mentor is to encourage the development of a mentee through the sharing of knowledge, expertise, and experience. Mentors may provide advice and guidance, help mentees identify career goals, share personal experiences, and more.
There are many organizations in Austin that connect adults with children and teens from all backgrounds that need the positive impact of mentor like you. In this post, I’ve compiled a list of mentor programs in Austin and highlighted two mentor programs that may appeal specifically to YWA members.
Why Should I Become a Mentor?
Many of us owe at least some of our successes to the people who have provided us mentorship in our lives. Becoming a mentor is a way to take that advantage and pay it forward in our communities.
Through various mentor opportunities in Austin, you have the chance to make a lasting impact on youth in the Austin community while also experiencing other benefits like growing your leadership skills.
The kinds of relationships you build as a mentor will be similar in some ways to those you will build as a leader of a team or organization. Becoming a mentor will help you build confidence in your own skills as a listener and to practice giving the kind of guidance necessary to being a successful leader.
Opportunities to Become a Mentor in Austin
Here’s a list of nine organizations that match mentors and mentees in Austin, with a little bit about their goals and the time commitment required to participate.
Partnerships for Children
Provides mentors for youth in CPS, aged 14 and older, as they’re learning to be autonomous adults. As a mentor, you will work with your mentee in small groups in a series of classes that teach youth new skills, let them try new experiences and community service projects, and help them prepare for the future.
Commitment:
- Minimum one-year commitment with the potential for the relationship to last longer
- Commitment to see your youth in person at least once monthly
Built by Girls
WAVE connects young women (Advisees) aged 15-22 years old with professionals (Advisors) in tech as part of a 1:1 Advisor program.
Commitment: Each pair meets once a month for one hour at the Advisor’s office or through video calls over a span of three months.
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters matches children between the ages of 6 and above with caring adult role models. Bigs and Littles meet in the community to do things they enjoy.
Commitment: Bigs and Littles meet in the community to do things they enjoy, 3-4 times a month for a minimum of one year.
CASA
CASA volunteers are individuals who speak up for a child’s best interests in court. Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers get to know the child and gather information from everyone involved in their daily life.
You’ll use the information gathered to report to the judge, advocating for the child’s needs while in the foster care system. As a volunteer, you commit to represent a child’s best interests while they are in care.
Commitment: Willing to commit at least one year of your time (on average, volunteers spend 10-15 hours a month on their case)
GEN
Help co-facilitate Girls Empowerment Network programs alongside our amazing staff and interns. Help lead curriculum and activities that increase girls’ self-efficacy and explore: body image, identity and diversity, healthy relationships, self-compassion, stress management, leadership, and much more!
Commitment: 1½ – 2 hours weekly for a semester
APIE
APIE mentors work one-on-one with Austin students during the school day. They help students improve their social and study skills, strengthen their communication skills, and build self-confidence. They inspire children to develop new interests, explore career possibilities, and achieve their personal and academic goals. Mentoring opportunities are available for students in any school and any grade within Austin ISD.
Commitment: 1 hour per week to meet with student consistently throughout the school year
Seedling
Seedling’s mission is to support children challenged by parental incarceration with innovative, research-driven, school-based mentoring.
Commitment: Seedling mentors meet once a week with their mentees for 30-45 minutes at school during the student’s lunch break for one academic year or more.
Youth Advocacy
Mentors work with small groups of elementary or middle school children to teach them about building trusting and structured relationships with adults.
You will be an integral part of a program that keeps kids away from drugs, gangs, and other at-risk behavior.
Commitment:
- The mentors work with small groups of 5-10 elementary or middle school children.
- The groups get together for an hour at a time, once a week on school grounds, and groups work together for 24 weeks.
- All participating schools are in the 78744 zip code.
Explore Austin
Explore Austin uses mentoring, leadership, and outdoor adventure to empower youth to reach their full potential. Through a leadership based outdoor adventure curriculum coupled with social-emotional learning components and long-term mentoring, Explore Austin is improving the well-being of each participant, their families, and the community.
Commitment:
- Ongoing volunteer opportunity with a 3-6 year commitment.
- Regular programming one Saturday a month during the academic year and one week in the summer.
Highlighted Programs for YWA
Here are two specific programs that may be of particular interest for our YWA members.
Shortest time commitment: Built by Girls
If you are just getting started as a mentor and are not quite sure how much you can commit, this organization is a great place to start! Each pair meets once a month for one hour at the Advisor’s office or through video calls over a span of three months.
With only 3 hours of commitment, everyone can find a time to squeeze in this mentorship — plus the added bonus that it encourages young women to explore tech!
YWA’s nonprofit partner: GEN
If you have ever volunteered at a GEN event, you know the power and impact of this incredible organization for young girls.
As a mentor for GEN, you will help co-facilitate Girls Empowerment Network programs alongside our amazing staff and interns. You will help lead curriculum and activities that increase girls’ self-efficacy and explore: body image, identity and diversity, healthy relationships, self-compassion, stress management, leadership, and much more.
Imagine if your middle school self had the opportunity to hear how amazing she is and helped her navigate all things life throws at her. Give that support to a young girl in the Austin community!
Do you know of a mentor program not listed? Drop it in the comments for others to learn about!
