Help to shape the present. Help to build the future.

Mentoring Statistics

The power of mentoring is not a mystery: establish a caring relationship, foster skills, and provide a broadened view of the future. The result? A more confident, resilient child. Not bad results for a few hours a month . . .

The Mentoring Center is a partnership among FIRSTLINK, the Big Brothers Big Sisters Association, and over 35 youth-mentoring organizations. It is also an element of Ohio Reads, Governor Bob Taft's initiative to increase literacy among elementary school students, and helps to recruit for Mayor Coleman's Cap City Kids after school programs and trains mentors for the Ohio Department of Aging's STARS program (Seniors Teaching and Reaching Students) and the Chamber's Career Academies.

Whether you are seeking to establish a mentoring program for your organization or business, or simply interested in volunteering as an individual, the Mentoring Center makes things easy by providing the following services:

Recruitment
We will analyze your organization and provide recruitment ideas specific to its size and structure.

Screening
Parents and guardians depend on us to provide safe and appropriate volunteers for their children. So, too, does the State of Ohio. Accordingly, we perform preliminary background checks.

Training
Whether you are new to tutoring or an experienced mentor looking to enhance your skills, our training seminars can help you experience greater success and satisfaction.

Placement
With our database of mentoring programs throughout Central Ohio, you can choose among the 35 participating school systems and agencies which best suit your interests and availability.

"My vision of a great city is one where education doesn't end when the school bell rings...where every child is encouraged to learn and grow with the full support of their community."

Mayor Michael Coleman,
City of Columbus

To become a mentor, you only need to follow three simple steps:

Download the application form, print it, and follow the instructions on the form. You may also obtain an application by calling the Mentoring Center at (614) 233-6368 (MENT) or by e-mailing mentor@firstlink.org.

Call our center at (614)233-6368, where a variety of mentoring programs will be detailed for you (no commitment is necessary). At this time you may also register to attend the Making of a Mentor Training. Once you have chosen one of the partner agencies/schools, we ask that you complete a background check.

Our Center will forward your information to your requested agency. A program coordinator will call you usually within one to two weeks. The agency will then match you with your mentee and help you arrange your first meeting.

If you are volunteering as an individual, that's all there is to it.

If you represent a business or group, you will also need to provide:

The approval of top management within your organization
The assignment of a liaison (often from the Human Resources or Community Relations department) to guide and expedite your program
Commitment to the program for one school year, usually 10 months. Continuing to mentor a child throughout the entire calendar year or longer, does pay increased dividends, however.

The Mentoring Center offers other services, as well. It can consult with your organization to help you:

Establish guidelines, policies, and procedures for participation by your associates
Match volunteers and participating children/youth
Train mentees about what to expect from a mentor/tutor relationship through an interactive program. With this program, both parties will gain optimum value from the relationship.
Provide on-site training at your location
Help you design and conduct volunteer evaluations

If you would like more informaton, or have any questions or comments, we encourage you to contact us.

For general questions, or to sign up for mentoring or a training session:

To set up a corporate mentoring program, or for on-site training: