Mentoring

Mentors can help students build the “soft” interpersonal and communication skills (manners, time management, responsibility, etc.) essential to their success as adults. We seek to match each of our Dreamers with an adult mentor who can engage him or her in activities outside of the school experience and build a relationship based on trust. IHAD provides mentors with activity ideas and group outing opportunities that will help Dreamers grow.

Our mentors tell us that their relationships with their dreamers are rewarding, too:
Meet a few of our mentors via the IHAD blog

Visit our “Volunteer” page to learn more about mentoring and volunteer opportunities with IHAD and to complete an application, which does require a background check.

Mentors, backed by quality mentoring programs, play a powerful role in preventing substance abuse and youth violence, as well as boosting academic achievement and workforce readiness.

Studies have shown a more than 250 percent return on a $1 investment in mentoring and myriad quality of life benefits to the mentor, too. Mentors help build young people’s character and confidence, expand their universe and help them navigate pathways to successful adulthood.

Despite this proven impact, the gap between the number of mentors and the number of young people who need a mentor is still too large. While three million young people have a mentor, 15 million need a caring adult mentor in their lives.

Source: National Mentoring Partnership