Make a Lasting Impact: Become a Mentor with Wayfinders
For over 35 years, Wayfinders has been igniting students' potential by expanding their confidence, connections, and horizons. They achieve this through summer camps, year-round enrichment programs, and strong mentor relationships for self-motivated, under-resourced students.
This season, they are inviting Charlotte neighbors to join them in making a meaningful difference through their most impactful volunteer opportunity - mentorship.
The Power of Mentorship
Mentorship is a life-changing experience—not just for the scholars, but for the mentors as well. Research shows that mentoring enhances a child’s sense of belonging, expands their social capital, and fosters personal growth. In fact, 99% of Wayfinders scholars report feeling supported by their mentor.
Mentors often share that they gain just as much from the experience, learning from their mentee and forming lasting bonds with their family. As one parent said, “Wayfinders is part of our family now.”
Here’s what one long-term mentor has to say about her experience:
“Mentoring has been nothing short of an adventure itself! I consider myself lucky to have the opportunity to play a part in the life of such a dynamic young girl. Five years ago when I signed up to be a mentor, I was looking for a way to invest in someone outside of myself. I truly didn’t know what to expect, but I can honestly say that I have gotten more out of my experience with Wayfinders than I ever imagined I would. [My mentee] is an individual whose light already shines so bright, it’s impossible to ignore. She “keeps me young”, she’s always laughing, and she makes me strive to be a better mentor each day.” - Rossi, Mentor
Get Involved
Wayfinders is currently onboarding a new class of 4th and 5th grade scholars and are looking for dedicated adult mentors to pair with each student this spring. If you’re looking for a chance to have a direct impact on a child’s life and contribute to upward mobility in our community, this is an incredible opportunity for you!
Wayfinders mentors come from all backgrounds and bring unique perspectives and skills to the program. The most important qualification? A commitment to consistently support and build a relationship with a young person.
To make engagement easier, Wayfinders provides monthly events such as trips to the theater, sporting events, and community service activities. Plus, their staff offers comprehensive training and ongoing support to ensure every mentor has the tools they need to succeed.
Next Steps
Ready to be a guiding light in a young scholar’s life? Your time and commitment can make all the difference for a child in our community. Here are next steps to consider:
- To learn more about the power of mentorship, join Wayfinders for a coffee on April 3 from 8:30-9:30am. We will be hosting a discussion featuring Virginia Covill, Deputy Director of Strategy & Operations with Leading on Opportunity. See flyer below for more details and RSVP here.
- To begin the mentoring journey, please complete this application. The Wayfinders team will promptly follow up with you.
- To ask a question, email Lisa Stewart, Mentoring Coordinator.
