Mentors
Our goal is to provide 3,000 additional children with compassionate mentors by 2025.
During the school year, mentors commit to meeting with their students for one hour, once a week, at a designated location. Our mentors come from our partnerships with high schools, colleges, businesses, and other private, public and faith-based communities.
Our Mentorship Programs
Mālama Mentors
Mālama Mentors partners exceptional juniors and seniors in local high schools with in-need students at nearby elementary schools. Mentors who are referred to the program by their counselors or teachers demonstrate compassion for others, commitment, and the desire to work with children. Once trained, mentors are carefully matched with a child with their partner elementary school and spend an hour a week giving their one-to-one undivided attention. Fostering a friendship through C.A.K.E.: compassion, attention, kindness, and encouragement—is our priority.
Mohala Mentors
Young adult mentors are trained and matched with in-need public middle school students at nearby middle schools. Learn More>
Makua Mentors
Our partnerships with community senior homes bring together mentors, students, and older adults at least twice a month, creating a space for intergenerational mentorship. Learn More>
SomeBuddy Cares
In the summer, Common Grace offers its free “SomeBuddy Cares” summer mentorship program as an extension of the mentoring services provided throughout the school year. Parents of at-risk elementary school children may sign their kids up to safely meet with a "buddy” or mentor as needed for emotional and social support. The SomeBuddy Cares Program is expected to run from June 1 to July 31. To be considered for the program, children must be referred by a school counselor or principal or meet our mentee requirements.
Mentor of the Month
Ami
Kaiser High School | Senior
MEET AMI, OUR MENTOR OF THE MONTH!
Ami is a dedicated mentor from Henry J. Kaiser High School. This month we're highlighting her for being an exemplar mentor and leader to our program. Below Ami shares why mentoring is important:
"I became a mentor because I wanted to support students who struggle with making friends, like I did when I was in middle school. Through mentoring, I've developed the confidence to engage with others and take the initiative to discover more about them. One thing I appreciate about my mentee is that she always puts a smile on my face, and for being such a great friend."
One Mentor, One Keiki, One Hour,
One day of the Week, One School Year
HOW WE HELP
-
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2019) found that 37.8% of middle school students reported they were bullied at school.
-
Children demonstrate more negative behaviors when they lack the emotional and material support at home that they need to smoothly handle a family transition.
-
Low family income negatively affects children’s social-emotional, cognitive, and academic outcomes, even after controlling for parental characteristics.
-
While young children need constant caregivers with whom they can form secure attachments, adolescents need parental support, role models, and continuity of residence and schools to succeed.
