• Check out current mentoring and tutoring opportunities
• Contact at least three organizations.  Investigate your options and choose the program meets your needs. 
• Ask to speak with the organization's volunteer coordinator.
• Tell the coordinator you are thinking about mentoring a young person -- or a group of young people -- and would like to know if their organization offers mentoring opportunities for adults. 
• Describe the amount of time you have, the types of activities you are interested in, and the number of children you would like to work with. 
• Ask the coordinator about training and support for volunteers and about the application and screening process.  The application process will probably include a written application, personal and professional references, a background check, and a personal interview.

What to Ask

• What kind of training and support do you offer?
• How do you match young people with mentors?
• What happens if I need to stop mentoring?
• What are the different mentoring options? (e.g. one-to-one mentoring, team mentoring, short-term mentoring, one-time projects, etc.)

Be persistent.  It may take awhile to be matched with a child.  Application, screening, and training can take from one to six months to complete.  Mentoring programs are concerned with the well-being and safety of children and volunteers, and their selection and screening procedures reflect that concern. 

Please don't get discouraged if the program does not match your needs.  If that happens, asked to be referred to another organization.  Becoming a mentor is well worth the effort, so keep trying!

Good luck and thank you!

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