Volunteer

Become a Mentor or Tutor and Make a Difference in a Young Person’s Life

What is Mentoring?

Mentoring is one of the key’s to our success here at the Freestate ChalleNGe Academy. The mentoring model is a “friendly match” in which the youth identifies someone who will be a friend and support system for him or her during the 12-month post-residential phase. Mentors will play an ongoing role in the student’s life during the Program, and very often, beyond. Potential mentors are screened and trained before being matched with a student mid-way through the residential phase.
Mentors are required to have four monthly contacts with the cadet and one in-person meeting. Mentors and students discuss the student’s plans and spend time together, often providing service to the community or exploring job and school options.

Why are mentoring programs needed?

In a closely knit family and neighborhood, children and adults alike could readily forge many kinds of supportive relationships. But today, those opportunities are often missing. Many children no longer attend school in their neighborhoods. Single-parent families are no longer the exception; some families live in geographic or emotional isolation from relatives and neighbors. Young people today often lack the skills to develop helpful social networks.

Who is eligible to be a mentor?

Any adult (minimum age of 25 unless otherwise approved) interested in and committed to the young person’s success is eligible to apply. Attributes of a mentor include maturity, integrity, leadership, commitment, availability, and compatibility with the young person.

How can one apply?

A mentor application may be obtained by calling (410) 436-3301 or filling out the contact form at the bottom of the page. All mentor candidates will undergo a criminal background check before being matched to a student.

Training

All mentors are required to attend a training workshop. The workshop lasts approximately four hours and consists of a multimedia presentation from the Academy staff. Following the training, the mentor visits the student.

Why mentoring?

A mentor can provide the nurturing, supportive adult relationship that is absent in the lives of some young people. Adolescents today are an increasingly isolated population. Changes in the family structure, community and neighborhood relationships, and workplace arrangements have deprived young people of the adult contacts that historically have been primary sources of socialization and support for development. A mentor can provide that role and, perhaps more importantly, teach and guide the young person to find others to also fill that role.

At Freestate ChalleNGe Academy, we always look for dedicated volunteers to help guide our cadets on their journey. Whether you have tutoring, mentoring, or vocational training expertise, your contribution can create lasting change.

• Transform lives: Help young people unlock their potential.
• Sharpen your skills: Gain valuable experience in mentoring and teaching.
• Make connections: Join a community of passionate individuals committed to positive change.

A mentor must be willing to make a commitment and keep it!

Do you have what it takes to mentor or tutor Maryland’s youth? Sign up below to get started.

Sign Up to Volunteer