The MentorU program engages local adult volunteer mentors and 9^th through 12^th graders at 2 local high schools: Interlake High School in Bellevue and West Seattle High School in West Seattle. Mentors are matched with teens for 1:1 mentoring sessions that take place just once each month after school during the academic year.

Using a social-emotional learning methodology, youth participants are guided through personal development and beyond high school planning activities with volunteer mentors at their side for support and guidance.

The program uses a cohort-based approach, working with incoming 9^th graders, with the goal of ongoing student participation from 9^th through 12^th grade. Most mentors will be matched with incoming 9^th graders.  Volunteer mentors in MentorU simply sit and talk with a high schooler during one 90-minute facilitated mentoring session per month.

One in three kids in America are growing up without a sustained, positive adult mentor in their lives. Locally, over 125 kids are on Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound’s wait list for a mentor.

The gap between mentorship and youth who need it most continues to widen due to perceived barriers of the time and expertise needed to become a mentor. You can help bridge the gap between people and possibility.

To be a great mentor you don’t need to have a specific title, a degree, or any special qualifications other than being compassionate, patient, and accepting. Even the littlest moments can grow into big ones. Because sometimes all we need is a little encouragement, a little hope, and a little inspiration.

It just takes a little time, a little encouragement and a laugh or two, so that every child has what—and who—they need to achieve a BIG and bright future.

Mentoring has a long track record of proven positive outcomes. Locally, 100% of young people matched with mentors through BBBS of Puget Sound graduate high school.

Last year, a staggering 79% of youth with a mentor experienced improvement in or reported no worsening of depressive symptoms. The MentorU model of social-emotional programming directly supports these positive outcomes.