Reach & Rise is a free mentoring program established to serve the needs of young people and provide them with positive, growth-inducing relationships with adults through mentoring.
The goal of the program is to make a difference in a child's life.
Click the buttons below to fill out an application to become a mentor or mentee!
Who should get involved in Reach & Rise?
Who should get involved in Reach & Rise?
Mentees are youth ages 6-17 who may be experiencing challenges with low self-esteem, poor academic progress, peer difficulties, family conflict or poor decision making.
Mentors are adult volunteers ages 21+ who wish to make a positive impact on young people.
Mentors are adult volunteers ages 21+ who wish to make a positive impact on young people.
Mentors are from varied cultural, educational and professional backgrounds and are often recruited within the YMCA membership, community agencies, local corporations and universities.
How to become a mentor:
Mentors begin by completing a volunteer application and participating in an initial screening conversation with the Program Director. Following this screening, mentors take participate in an interview with the Program Director. Prior to being matched with a young person, all mentors must complete 15 hours of therapeutic-based training, typically over the course of 4–5 weeks. In addition, all mentors are required to pass a background check and provide four reference checks.
For our One-to-One Mentoring Program, mentors commit to spending 1–2 hours each week with a youth for a period of 12–18 months. In our Group Mentoring Program, mentors co-lead sessions with up to eight youth. Groups run for 6–8 weeks during the summer or 14–16 weeks in the spring or fall, meeting for 1–2 hours each week.
How to sign up as a mentee:
Mentees can be referred to the Reach & Rise program by school counselors, teachers, principals, community agencies such as social welfare or counseling agencies, YMCA community, friends, family, or self- referrals. All referrals will undergo an application process and either an initial telephone call or face-to-face screening with the Program Director. This process helps determine whether or not each child is appropriate for the program. Those children assessed to have mental health problems not appropriate for our program will be referred elsewhere. The types of issues not likely to be handled by our mentors include: acute depression, homicidal or suicidal behavior, drug/alcohol dependence, and violent behavior.
FAQs
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Why was the Reach & Rise program created?
To offer over-stressed families a resource to help meet their children’s needs. Mentors are meant to serve as role models, friends, and confidants. They are another source of support for your child and are not meant to take the role of a parent, babysitter, or financier.
Once my child is matched with a mentor, what can I expect?
Group Mentoring: Groups meet once a week for 1–2 hours at a YMCA facility or community location. Once a group begins, meetings are held on the same day and time each week. Youth are grouped with peers close in age who share similar goals. If a mentee will be absent or late, parents/guardians should notify the Program Director. Families are responsible for transportation to and from group sessions. The Program Director connects with mentors weekly and with families monthly.
One‑to‑One Mentoring Mentors meet with their mentee once a week for 1–2 hours at a YMCA facility, typically on weekday evenings or weekends. Meetings are typically held consistently at the same time and place. Mentors contact families if they need to miss a session; parents/guardians should notify the mentor or Program Director if their child will be absent. Monthly check-ins occur with mentors, mentees, and families.
Community & Engagement
Parents/guardians are expected to connect with the Program Director each month to support communication, safety, and youth progress. Throughout the mentoring program, our program directors will also send email updates on program information, community resources, and any upcoming events or activities for mentors, mentees, and families.
What are some activities that mentors do with their mentees?
Go to the YMCA to play sports or swim, practice social skills through role play and other fun games, community service projects. Group mentors will also utilize a handbook compiled by Reach and Rise to engage youth in discussions and activities relevant to each mentee’s daily life.
Should my child spend time at a mentor’s house?
Your child should NEVER go to their mentor’s house, spend the night, or go away with mentors for an overnight or weekend stay. If at any time throughout the relationship you are uncomfortable with the type of activities your child is doing with his/her mentor, you should call the Program Director right away to discuss it immediately.
How Can I Support My Child’s Relationship With His/Her Mentor?
It is important that your child attends mentoring groups and one-to-one meetings regularly and on time. This will help establish the consistency and structure that children need. The relationship between the mentors and your child will be most effective if they are allowed confidentiality. Mentors are trained to discuss situations with you in which the safety and well-being of your child may be jeopardized. If you have any questions, concerns, or are feeling uncomfortable for any reason, it is important to call and discuss it immediately. Children will be more willing to participate fully in the new relationship if they know their parents are comfortable.
For more information contact:
Group Mentoring Director: Mackenzie Duvall, MackenzieD@ymcaatlanta.org or 770-514-4366
1:1 Mentoring Director: Dominique Thomas, Dominique.Thomas@ymcaatlanta.org or 770-423-9622 ext. 6332
1:1 Mentoring Director: Erika Swales, ErikaS@ymcaatlanta.org or 770-423-9622 ext. 6330