Mentoring Opportunities

Consider the following opportunities Bridges: Kinship Mentoring has available:

• Community Based Mentoring matches an adult with a child or youth. The pair meets “in the community”, i.e. at the mentor’s home sharing a meal, playing a game, going fishing, taking in a play, walking the dog, etc. Bridges recommends a minimum commitment of 6 hours per month that occurs outside of school and workday. A minimum of one year is expected, with the option to extend.

• School Based Mentoring matches interested adults with an elementary-age child referred by school staff.  The mentor meets with the child at school during the school day once a week for approximately 45 minutes (not necessarily be during the child’s lunch hour).  The pair participates in a variety of activities designed to develop friendships, including:  playing games, talking, sharing ideas, working on a project together, reading, as well as other academic enrichment activities.  Bridges’ staff assists acts as a liaison between the school staff and the mentor.

• Lunch Buddies matches interested adults with students at Murphy Elementary and Bigfork Elementary. The pairs meet twice per month from mid-October through mid-May. After eating lunch together, the pairs return to the classroom or library to read together, play math games, or participate in another activity provided by the teacher.

• Student Mentoring is a supervised, after-school activity that matches a high school student with a 3rd or 4th grader. Each session consists of 16 meetings. Through crafts, games and sometimes just talking, students become friends.  The intent of this program is to offer an afternoon resource for extra-curricular activities for those who may not otherwise be able to afford it.  Transportation home is offered through Arrowhead Transit if needed.

HOW TO APPLY

Community Based or School Based Mentor
Complete the application and give Bridges staff permission complete a criminal background check. Once Bridges has received and reviewed your application, we’ll contact you to schedule a face-to-face interview and new mentor orientation session and match options.

Lunch Buddy
Complete the application and give Bridges staff permission to complete a criminal background check. Once Bridges has received and reviewed your application, we’ll contact you with specific dates and times and the name of your Buddy.

Student Mentor
Complete the application. Once Bridges has received and reviewed your application, we’ll contact you with specific program dates. Program dates are Tuesday and Thursday throughout the school year.