Become a Mentor

What Does a Mentor Do?

Mentors are ordinary people, doing ordinary things, making a lasting impression on today’s youth. 

A mentor is an adult or couple, willing to incorporate a youth into their life. This quality time creates relationship, trust, and opportunities for a child to have a role model, support, and care outside of their immediate family. 

Ideally, our mentors can connect with their mentee for at least four hours in a month. Sometimes that could look like 4 shorter visits a month or 1-2 longer visits a month. Kinship hosts monthly events for mentors/mentees to attend, where they can bond over new or fun experiences. Many of our m entors also spend time together baking, cooking, playing games, crafting, watching a movie, fishing, bike riding, or whatever it is they like to do together. 

It is really just about spending time together, letting a child know that they have an extra person in their life who cares about them and is cheering them on. 

Becoming a Kinship volunteer mentor requires a one-year commitment, though we are happy to share, many have continued their relationship beyond their minimum commitment. 

When we asked a graduated mentee if her mentor made a difference in her life, she replied: “It didn’t make just a difference, it made the difference.” 

Kinship Testimonials

“It's so fun to see kids have fun and learn everything that they have interest in. (Youth) is very curious about everything...he has a thousand questions a day, and I feel it is my job as a mentor to answer every one with dignity and respect. It has changes me to slow down and give them the time.” The mentor shared a story about taking the youth fishing, something he has never done before. They started on the shoreline, then to the river, and the lake, and eventually ice fishing which shocked the youth as he had never been on the ice before!
Current Mentor
"We are blessed that both girls have such good mentors. They both have positive vibes that have helped the girls absorb and illuminate them as well." - Gaurdian of Mentee

"I love have a mentor - someone older to hang out with and talk to. She's someone I look up to." - Mentee

This mentor match enjoyed many activities but some of their favorites were making applesauce, and painting projects.
Mentee & Family
“He has a quiet spirit but has never turned me down when I offer up a new activity. We've gone fishing, wake surfing, hiking, exploring in the woods, driven a tractor, and gone out to eat. When time is short, we will grab ice cream together. It's been a joy to see (youth) warm up to me and enjoy our outings together." - Mentor The mom of this youth shared that her son has become more out-going and she is grateful "this has given him some good support outside of our family and different experiences that he does not have or get at home." "The hardest part is simply taking the first step, but mentoring is extremely rewarding. Life can get hectic, and we often tend to focus on our own families and ourselves. There is great joy in sowing into another's life. Mentoring helps a person to take a step back and realize the simple gift of your time and attention can be life changing for someone else." - Mentor
Mentor & Mentee Parent

Apply to
Become a Mentor

The first step is filling out the Mentor Application and submitting it to Richland Wilkin Kinship,  509 1/2 Dakota Ave, Suite 104, Wahpeton, ND 58075. 

References and background checks are required. 

Mentor Application