Frequently Asked Questions

General

  • At the U-District Mentoring Program, we match volunteer mentors with youth ages 8–12 in the Spokane community. Rather than maintaining a waitlist, we take time to get to know each new mentor — their personality, life experiences, hobbies, and preferences — and then partner with a school counselor at a Title I school to nominate the student who would be the best fit.

    We offer two program tracks:

    Community Mentoring — Once matched, the pair spends four hours a month together over eighteen months. That time is theirs to shape however they choose, creating space for fun, trust-building, and working toward individualized goals. Both the mentor and family receive support from our program director and are welcome to join group activities with other matches.

    School-Based Mentoring — Mentors visit their mentee at school for 30 minutes each week throughout the school year. This format offers a consistent, convenient way to build a meaningful relationship right within the school setting. Like the community-based program, the time is theirs to spend how they would like as long as it can be done on the school campus. Mentors and families receive support from our program director and the counselor throughout the match.

  • Whether you are joining the community-based or the site-based program, you will be matched with the same intentionality. After learning about your personality, interests, and background, we work with a school counselor to nominate a student that would be a good fit for you. We’ve found that this matching process provides a solid foundation for the relationship to grow from.

  • Community-Based Time Commitment: 4 hours a month for 18 months

    School-Based Time Commitment: 30 mins a week for the school year

    We understand and expect that our mentors and families will miss sessions from time to time due to travel or sickness. We simply ask that mentors and families communicate openly with each other and make up missed time when possible.

  • At the U-District Mentoring Program, we believe that everyone has something to offer in this space. No special background required.

    Consistency, empathy, curiosity, and patience are all important characteristics of a mentor. None of which demand a diploma, a title, or a specific life story — just a willingness to show up.

  • The program holds roughly one group event a month for the community-based matches to enjoy. These are not mandatory, but do offer a wonderful opportunity to form connections with folks who are on the same path.

  • There's no set curriculum or agenda to follow! Mentees come with their own goals, but the heart of the program is really about building trust and having fun — the goals tend to work themselves out through that process.

  • Before your first meeting, you'll have a solid foundation to work from. You'll know your mentee's age and grade, a bit about their interests, and the goals they're working toward.

    For community-based matches, you'll also have some context around their family and home life, as well as any history of struggles or challenges that are important to be aware of. This helps ensure you feel informed and prepared going into the relationship.

  • You're never on your own. The program director is always available to talk through any challenges that come up in your mentoring relationship. Depending on the situation, they may also connect you with a school counselor, a school mental health counselor, or fellow mentors who've navigated something similar. Whatever comes up, the program director will help make sure you have the support and resources you need.

  • Mentors are always welcome to exchange contact information and connect with fellow mentors! The program holds regular mentor get-togethers where volunteers can share advice, celebrate wins, and simply enjoy the company of others who understand the journey. Mentors can also reach out to the program director at any time with questions or for guidance.

Community-Based

  • Getting started is simple. Reach out through our contact form or schedule a call—we’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.

  • We combine a thoughtful, human-centered approach with clear communication and reliable results. It’s not just what we do—it’s how we do it that sets us apart.

  • Item description

  • You can reach us anytime via our contact page or email. We aim to respond quickly—usually within one business day.

  • We offer flexible pricing based on project type and complexity. After an initial conversation, we’ll provide a transparent quote with no hidden costs.

  • Collaborative, honest, and straightforward. We're here to guide the process, bring ideas to the table, and keep things moving.

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Site-Based Mentoring

  • We offer a range of solutions designed to meet your needs—whether you're just getting started or scaling something bigger. Everything is tailored to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

  • Getting started is simple. Reach out through our contact form or schedule a call—we’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.

  • We combine a thoughtful, human-centered approach with clear communication and reliable results. It’s not just what we do—it’s how we do it that sets us apart.

  • You can reach us anytime via our contact page or email. We aim to respond quickly—usually within one business day.

  • We offer flexible pricing based on project type and complexity. After an initial conversation, we’ll provide a transparent quote with no hidden costs.

  • Collaborative, honest, and straightforward. We're here to guide the process, bring ideas to the table, and keep things moving.