Be A Mentor
Reach & Rise®: From Risk to Resiliency.JPG)
Reach & Rise® is a national, one-to-one mentoring program dedicated to empowering youth and helping them build brighter futures. Through a free, year-long commitment, young people are paired with trained adult mentors who provide consistent guidance, encouragement, and support. Mentors are equipped to understand cultural and social development, mental health concerns, and risk factors—offering youth new tools to grow, connect, and thrive.
What Makes Reach & Rise® Unique
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Evidence-Based Model: Our program is rooted in proven best practices to ensure meaningful and effective mentoring experiences.
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Nationwide Impact: Delivered through YMCAs across the country, Reach & Rise® brings mentorship to communities everywhere.
Who We Serve
Reach & Rise® serves youth ages 6–17 who may be experiencing challenges such as:
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Low self-esteem
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Struggles in school or frequent truancy
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Peer or family conflict
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Risky or poor decision-making
Participants come from a variety of family backgrounds, including two-parent, single-parent, blended, foster, and relative-led households.
Our Mentorship Models
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One-to-One Mentoring: A mentor is matched with one youth for a full year, meeting weekly to build a trusted, supportive relationship.
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Group Mentoring: Two mentors guide up to eight youth, creating a safe and supportive group environment. Sessions run for 16 weeks in fall/spring or 8 weeks in summer.
Mentor Requirements
To become a mentor, you must:
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Be at least 21 years old
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Complete 15+ hours of training
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Pass a fingerprint security screening
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Maintain a clean DMV record
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Provide proof of auto liability insurance (if you own a car)
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Commit 1–3 hours per week with your mentee