Background Checks

A 5-minute background check may be completed weekdays during the office hours of 8-4:30 PM. Background checks may also be completed at a training session as well. Metered parking is available.


Training Registration

All of the sessions listed below are free for individuals of our partnering agencies, but participants need to reserve a space to attend. In the rare event that a training is cancelled, we can only notify individuals who have registered. Please call our office if you are undecided about a volunteer program. Our staff will assist you in identifying a program that best meets your needs.

To reserve a space, call the Mentoring Center at (614) 233-6368 or e-mail mentor@firstlink.org. All of the following evening orientations will be held at our downtown office, FIRSTLINK at 195 N. Grant Avenue.


Public Training Sessions

All volunteers should attend the Making of a Mentor/Relationship Building training and are encouraged to attend other training sessions, as well. Volunteers who attend three trainings will achieve the status of becoming certified mentors. Optional Social Work CEU's are available for $5 per unit hour. To register for a particular class, call the Mentoring Center at (614) 233-6368 or e-mail mentor@firstlink.org.

To read a description of a particular class, simply click on its name.


Making of a Mentor/Relationship Building

Wednesday, August 15

6:00-8:00 p.m.

Tuesday, September 25

6:00-8:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 10

6:00-8:00 p.m.

Tuesday, November 12

6:00-8:00 p.m.

Thursday, December 6

6:00-8:00 p.m.

Cultural Dynamics

Tuesday, July 31

6:00-8:00 p.m.

Wednesday, November 7

6:00-8:00 p.m.

Mentoring Adolescents

Tuesday, August 21

6:00-8:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 11

6:00-8:00 p.m. (Board Room)

Learning Styles/Tips for Tutors

Thursday, October 18

6:00-8:00 p.m. (Board Room)



If you have not visited a specific training site before, directions are provided below.

FIRSTLINK is located at 195 N. GRANT AVE. (Corner of Spring & Grant /West of Columbus State Community College)
PARKING: Free parking is available in FIRSTLINK lot after 5 PM (DO NOT park in row with McLeod black vans). Metered parking is also available around our building (free after 6 PM).

FIRSTLINK
195 N. Grant Ave.
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 233-6368 or
(614)221-6766

 If you are coming from east of downtown:

Take I-70 West to I-71 North, to the Broad Street exit. Go left on Broad Street to the first street on the right (Jefferson Avenue). Turn right onto Jefferson Avenue, follow Jefferson Ave. across Long and turn left on Spring Street and right on Grant Avenue.
If you are coming from north of downtown via I-71:

Take I-71 South the Spring Street exit, which exists on the left side of the highway. Go right on Spring Street. Make a right on Grant Avenue.
If you are coming from north of downtown via 315:

Take SR 315 South to I-670 East, exit right on Neil Avenue. Take Neil to Long and head east toward Grant Avenue. Make a left on Grant Avenue.
If you are coming from south of downtown via I-71:

Take I-71 North, to the Broad Street exit. Go left on Broad Street to the first street on the right (Jefferson Avenue). Turn right onto Jefferson Avenue, follow Jefferson Avenue across Long and turn left onto Spring Street. Make a right on Grant Avenue.
If you are coming from west of downtown via 1-70:

Take I-70 East to I-71 North, to the Broad Street exit. Go left on Broad Street to the first street on the right (Jefferson Avenue). Turn right onto Jefferson Avenue, follow Jefferson Avenue across Long and turn left onto Spring Street. Make a right on Grant Avenue.
If you are coming from Port Columbus International Airport:

Exit Airport at Stelzer Road to I-670 West. From I-670 West, exit at I-71 South, then take the first exit at Leonard Avenue/Cleveland. Go left on Leonard Avenue, then left again on Cleveland Avenue. Turn right on Spring Street and then right on Grant Avenue.
Big Brothers Big Sisters
1855 E. Dublin-Granville Road
Columbus, OH 43229
(614) 839-2447		 Exit I-71 at Route 161 (East Dublin-Granville Road). Proceed east to Tamarack Blvd. and turn right. Immediately turn left into the parking lot of Big Brothers Big Sisters. Enter the building through the east entrance. Trainings are held on the first floor.
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