Our Programs
Mid-Ohio Youth Mentoring matches children ages 5 through 16 with mentors in professionally supported mentoring relationships. We have volunteer programs in our community here in Mid-Ohio.
WORKING TOGETHER
Making the Connection
Mid-Ohio Youth Mentoring has a variety of volunteer opportunities available. Matches come together through our two essential programs
Community-based Mentoring
For as little as an hour a week, Mentors and Kids meet in their community to share fun activities … stories … and a little bit of themselves.
High School Bigs Mentoring
Mentors and kids meet once a week in school or community centers, to talk and have fun. It’s not about being a tutor … it’s about being a friend.
- If you are a High School student and want to apply to be a mentor in our after-school programs at Galion, Shelby, or the Friendly House,
How a Volunteer becomes a Mentor (and a Child a Mentee)
A lot of things have to happen before we make a match. After a person expresses an interest in our volunteer opportunities, all our volunteers go through a thorough background check and careful interview process. Then we match Mentors and Kids based on location, personalities, and preferences. We provide full support for our volunteer programs along the way — so that matches can grow into lasting friendships.
What Mentors and Mentees Do
Getting together is a great time for both volunteers and the kids. It doesn’t require a special occasion or expensive activities; just a few hours every month sharing simple things you already enjoy with a young person. Things like….
- Shooting hoops
- Playing a board game
- Sharing a pizza
- Taking a walk in the park
- Or just hanging out and talking
GETTING THE COMMUNITY INVOLVED
Community-Based Mentoring
One Hour a Week Can Make a HUGE Difference
Community-based Mentoring is the traditional Mid-Ohio Youth Mentoring relationship. It’s all about the time spent with the volunteer and the young person doing things they enjoy — a few hours a couple times a month filled with shared interests and activities like:
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Shooting hoops
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Playing a board game
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Sharing a pizza
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Taking a walk in the park
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Or just hanging out and talking.
The schedule can be flexible to meet the needs of mentors and young people in different kinds of situations. Some mentors meet their child on the weekend or in the evening. Others get together with their mentees after school. There’s almost no one so busy that they can’t find a way to fit in a few hours a month.
Especially When They Learn What a Difference Mentoring Makes.
National and state statistics show that children who are mentored are more likely to improve in school and in their relationships with family and peers, and less likely to skip school or use illegal drugs or alcohol. Students who are successful in school are less likely to drop out, become pregnant, abuse drugs or become involved in criminal activity.
Mid-Ohio Youth Mentoring utilizes a Program Outcome Evaluation Survey that has been developed by the national mentoring agencies. These evaluations are utilized across the country and help us measure the effectiveness of our programs.We were able to complete evaluations with 94% of the eligible matches locally (those who have been matched for more than 6 months). The results are astounding, and well above the nationally reported average. The evaluations are completed by the volunteer mentors, the teachers and the parents of the children involved. The evaluations rate the children based on what the volunteer and/or teacher/parent has observed over the past 6 to 12 months. The evaluations measure progress the child has made. The results for us here locally are listed in the table below:
Program Outcome Evaluation Data for Mid-Ohio Youth Mentoring from 2021:
| Program Outcome Evaluation Elements | % worse | % no change | % better |
| Self-confidence | 1.3% | 14.1% | 84.6% |
| Able to express feelings | 0.0% | 22.9% | 77.1% |
| Academic performance | 8.2% | 24.6% | 67.2% |
| Attitude toward school | 5.9% | 28.1% | 65.9% |
| Able to avoid delinquency and substance abuse | 2.9% | 36.8% | 60.3% |
| Shows trust toward you (parent or volunteer) | 0.8% | 16.5% | 82.7% |
| Relationship with family | 6.4% | 27.2% | 66.4% |
| Relationship with peers | 2.6% | 30.2% | 67.2% |
KIDS HELPING KIDS
High School Mentoring
High School Bigs Mentoring: A Lesson in Friendship!
Kids enjoy High School Bigs Mentoring. And parents know what a difference it makes. But some of the biggest supporters of High School Bigs Mentoring are actually teachers. They see students benefit from their one hour a week mentoring sessions and report the kids have confident smiles, are ready to learn, and ready to succeed.
If you are a High School student and want to apply to be a mentor in our after-school programs at Galion, Shelby, or the Friendly House
Kids Who Feel Better About Themselves Do Better in School.
High School Bigs Mentoring is not a classroom program, and it’s not tutoring. High School Bigs Mentoring is mentoring that takes place in the schools or community centers. High School students serve as mentors to elementary students. Of course, some students do talk with their mentors about class, or do homework, or read together, but it’s really all about friendship and guidance. This is a Win-Win situation. High Schoolers are exposed to the benefits of volunteering, learning responsibility, and both, they and their mentee experience an increase in self-esteem. You can play or jump rope or shoot hoops — whatever you and the child enjoy. You don’t need any special training or certification. If you can spend a few hours a month, arranged around your needs and the program’s schedule, you can start participating in a High School Bigs Mentoring program this fall!
Right now we have a program that meets on Wednesday’s in collaboration with the Friendly House After-school program and we have Mentors from Ontario, Lexington, Madison, St. Pete’s, and Mansfield Senior High Schools. The kids spend the first part of their time together getting help with homework, and the rest of their time doing a craft or playing a board game or just hanging out and talking. We also offer this program at the Shelby Schools and the Galion Schools as the campus’s are all next to one another making it conducive for the high school mentors to meet and spend time with their elementary school mentees.
If you would like more information about this program or would like to volunteer or get a child involved contact the office today. 419-525-4618!