For low-income young people, having a positive adult role model is often a vital part of maturing into a happy, healthy adult.

Since 1999, Impact NW Mentoring has connected at-risk Portland youth aged 5-18 with supportive volunteer mentors. Mentors spend approximately one hour each week with their mentee, scheduling one-on-one time with them while participating in group recreational outings, such as trips to the Oregon Museum of Science & Industry (OMSI), the Oregon Zoo, Mt. Scott Community Center, or Zenger Farm, and service learning and volunteer opportunities at community organizations, including the Oregon Food Bank and the Oregon Humane Society.

The majority of our mentees live below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level and are from single parent households; all are referred to Impact NW after parents or school staff observe them struggling with personal, academic, or behavioral problems. The time spent with a mentor allows troubled students to open up about the challenges they’re facing and receive emotional support, while also gaining access to a positive adult role model who can introduce them to opportunities they might not otherwise experience. Because the majority of Impact NW mentees live in poverty, our program bridges the gap between them and their more privileged peers and positions them for a happy, healthy, productive adulthood.

Impact NW’s Mentoring program receives funding from the Portland Children’s Levy.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer mentor, contact our Community Engagement Manager at volunteer@impactnw.org or by phone at (503) 988-6000 x 268.