Every child deserves a trusted adult who believes in them.
Right now, nearly 1,000 students in Palm Beach County are waiting to be matched with a caring volunteer mentor through local mentoring programs. At United Way of Palm Beach County, we believe one trusted relationship can help a child build confidence, overcome challenges, and create a brighter future.
As students prepare to head back to school, we’re inviting caring adults to become volunteer mentors and help change a child’s life.
Through our Mentor Center, United Way of Palm Beach County oversees 24 local mentoring programs and serves as the backbone organization for the Palm Beach County Mentor Network, a coalition of 60 formal mentoring programs that collectively support nearly 6,000 mentor matches each year.
While thousands of students already have mentors, many more are still waiting for someone to say “yes.”
Our President and CEO, Dr. Laurie George, joined WPTV’s T.A. Walker to discuss the growing need for mentors and the incredible impact they have on local youth.
One of the biggest misconceptions about mentoring is that you need special skills or experience. The truth is, the most important thing you can offer is your time and your willingness to listen.
Our volunteer mentors meet with students for about one hour each week in a supervised setting. Throughout the experience, we provide training, guidance, and ongoing support, so you’ll never be doing it alone. Sometimes, having one consistent, supportive adult is all it takes to help a young person feel seen, heard, and valued.
“You just listen to them more than anything. They need a caring adult.” – Dr. George
Research continues to show that mentoring changes lives.
Young people who have mentors are:
Mentoring also helps students build confidence, improve school attendance, strengthen academic performance, and make positive choices.
“What happens is that people feel safe. They actually do better. They come to school more often. Their grades are better, and they make wise choices.” – Dr. George
Every mentor helps strengthen our community.
Whether you’re a working professional, retiree, college student, or simply someone looking to give back, there’s a mentoring opportunity that can fit your schedule and interests. We’ll help match you with a program that aligns with your availability, location, and preferences.
One hour each week can create a lifetime of impact.
If you’ve been looking for a meaningful way to make a difference in a child’s life, now is the perfect time to get involved.
Together, we can ensure every young person has the encouragement, support, and guidance they need to thrive.
Learn more and sign up to become a mentor!
