College Mentoring Program

Mentors and Mentees get together in person for approximately 2-3 hours twice per month (so approximately 4-6 hours total per month). Meetings can be after school or on weekends, depending on best availability. Mentors are encouraged to be available to their Mentee between visits should any questions or concerns arise (usually via phone, text, zoom). During the application period (June-December of a student’s 12th grade year), Mentees and Mentors will also meet virtually with a college consultant approximately every three weeks for 45 minutes.

Mentors and Mentees might explore potential college majors and careers of interest, tour local college campuses, brainstorm essay topics, research scholarship opportunities, craft resumes, or work on improving valuable life skills such as time management or financial literacy. Mentors help Mentees think about what they want to get out of the college experience and life, in general. Once a student matriculates, mentors continue to offer practical and social-emotional support as their mentee navigates the adjustment to their new college environment, considers career options, and builds a social network. CMP matches are not all work! Mentors and Mentees are also encouraged to build in some time for enjoying life and each other’s company, whether going out for lunch, taking a hike, visiting a museum, or attending a play.

In the CMP we recognize that a parent/guardian is a key player in determining what post-grad plan is best for their child and family. While Mentor/Mentee outings at JBBBS are 1:1 between participant and volunteer, parents and guardians are encouraged to participate in the meetings with the college consultant, access the resources and guidance provided through the financial aid advisor, ask any and all questions to feel more empowered through the confusing and overwhelming admissions process, and connect regularly with their JBBBS Clinical Match Specialist to ensure their student’s needs are being met by the program. Mentors are supported in being respectful, collaborative partners to students and families on this exciting journey.

The program is free for mentees. JBBBS funds a Mentee’s work with the college consultant and financial aid advisor. Mentors cover the basic cost of outings - coffee, lunch, move tickets, gas to local campus tours, etc. JBBBS off-sets expenses by providing matches with occasional gift cards and invitations to agency events.

Yes! We have deep, proud ties to the area Jewish community – and we’re also a fully inclusive agency. Our participants, families, volunteers, donors, staff and board members hail from a huge variety of religious affiliations – and, some, none at all.

In the CMP it can take up to six months from enrollment to be matched, but every effort is made to match a student to a mentor as they start 12th grade to ensure they have support as the college admissions process ramps up. Most students are matched within six weeks from the time of enrollment.

Mentors and Mentees make a commitment to remain matched at least through a student’s first year of college. As a result, the minimum time commitment is usually about two years. Matches are encouraged to stay matched through college graduation, when possible.

Our dedicated Programs team – especially the Clinical Match Specialist assigned to the match – is always available to help troubleshoot challenges and address concerns as they arise. They are even available to confer with either Mentor or Mentee if – however rarely – a match isn’t a right fit or one or the other realizes they need to end the match.

The safety of our participants is of paramount concern. All staff are trained in abuse prevention, detection and reporting. Dedicated Master’s level clinicians work closely to screen volunteers. A clinician is assigned to each match, routinely conferring with all matched parties around safety, respect, and appropriate boundaries, while fielding questions and troubleshooting any concerns that may arise. The agency conducts a series of ongoing background and driving record checks on all staff, board and volunteers. For specific information about safety standards in our Programs, contact us.