How to Become a Mentor
We make it easy for you to become a mentor!
Attend an Information Session.
All prospective volunteers attend an information session with Kids ‘n Kinship. You will learn about the children who are waiting for mentors, the volunteer screening process and the activities and benefits provided by Kids ‘n Kinship. We offer several sessions monthly, both in-person and virtual. If none of the dates work for you, let us know and we’ll work with you to find a good date and time. Click here to see our upcoming info sessions. >
Fill out an application.
Participate in an in-home interview.
Complete your mentor training and receive your match.
Once all the procedures are complete and you have been accepted as a mentor through Kids ‘n Kinship, a mentor training will be scheduled for you. Staff will contact you with information about children to consider mentoring. If you are interested in being placed with one of these children, we will contact the child’s parent or guardian. The parent or guardian has final approval of all prospective mentors. The initial introduction takes place in the child’s home, with the mentor, child, parent/guardian and Kids ‘n Kinship coordinator all present for the first meeting. After the match is made, staff have ongoing phone contact with the child and parent/guardian as well as the volunteer. Both parties are encouraged to call their Kids ‘n Kinship staff person if any concerns arise during the course of the relationship.
Let the fun begin!
Initiate weekly contact with your child, planning outings and activities, and building a healthy, supportive relationship. There are ongoing offerings of sporting events, theatre, zoo, science museum, art center and other tickets – many are free – to mentor matches. Mentor resources.
Kids ‘n Kinship sponsors an activity every three months for mentors and their children. These are a great opportunity for fun in a large group. There is no cost for these outings.
Our family mentored a pair of siblings for about 3 years. It was great to be involved as a family showing our own children at the time to give to others and to share their time in a positive way. This non profit organization works hard to match children through out Dakota County with a positive role model. Please consider being a mentor.