We serve at-risk youth through mentoring and encouragement.

Why I want to have a mentor...

Cuz it's fun.

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Mentors and Proteges > FAQ for Mentors

What is the requirement to be a mentor through Youth Horizons?

Youth Horizons has mentors from every stage of life: attending college, single, married without kids, married with kids, retired, etc. In some matches, the mentor fills the role of a big brother. In others, the mentor relates to the child as more of a father figure or grandparent. Those interested in becoming a mentor must meet the following guidelines:

  • Be active in a local church.
  • Be at least 19 years old.
  • Complete a screening process involving a personal interview, written application, and training.

How much time does mentoring take and how long is the commitment?

Youth Horizons asks mentors to commit to two to three hours a week for one year. There are so many people moving in and out of these kids’ lives that we recognize the importance a committed, consistent individual can make. Ideally, our desire is to see the match build into a lifelong friendship.

Can a couple mentor a child together?

Absolutely. Couple matches are often very successful matches and lots of fun for the couple to experience together. Mentoring is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable parenting skills.

Who are the children you serve?

To qualify for our mentoring services a child must be fatherless, motherless, or living in a severely dysfunctional family. All of the kids we serve have said they want to have someone invest in them. Kids are referred to us from social service organizations like Comcare, Kansas Social Rehabilitation Services, and the Salvation Army. Other kids come from teachers, churches, parents, and other individuals who know about Youth Horizons. Youth Horizons accepts referrals for kids between the ages of 5 -14. Children matched with a mentor can continue in our program until they turn 22.

What are some topics covered in your training of new mentors?

Our new mentor orientation includes understanding different worldviews, understanding fatherlessness and poverty, problems you may face in mentoring, connecting with parents, sharing your faith through mentoring, and the stages of a mentoring relationship.

How do you decide on the right match with a child?

We interview all kids to get an idea of their personality, likes and dislikes, and what they want in a mentor. We generally match mentors with a child that fits their age preference, personal preference, general personality, hobbies, and interests. We attempt to match adults with children that live within 15 minutes from their home. Youth Horizons’ staff looks over all the information from both parties and sends you a few of our ideas. We strictly match men with boys and women with girls.

What is the role of Youth Horizons after I am matched?

Once you have completed the mentor orientation training, you are assigned a mentoring coach who will support you during your time mentoring. We will contact you monthly to offer support and encouragement with your match, be available to answer questions or give advice, and provide events and trainings that will provide you with further resources. Our coaches are trained to deal with match-related issues.

What kind of activities should I do with my protégé?

The key is to build a relationship. Entertainment is not our top priority. We encourage our mentors to split up the time mentoring between spiritual activities, life skill developing activities, and fun activities. It is up to the mentor to decide when to get together and what activity to do. Mentors are encouraged to discover and develop the strengths of their child. Suggestions on activities are sent to mentors on a monthly basis.

What will it cost me financially?

There are costs associated with food and fun activities in mentoring relationships, yet most mentors find that bonding with a child does not necessitate spending money on a regular basis. Gifts should be limited to birthdays, holidays, and special achievements (i.e. graduation). We do not want you to spend a lot of money on your protégé. In addition, parents and kids are instructed in their interview not to ask the mentor for favors, including gifts or money. It is a Youth Horizons’ policy not to give food or money to your protégé’s family.

How are mentors involved with parents?

We want our mentors to build a relationship with the parent or guardian of the child by maintaining open lines of communication with the parent or guardian. Mentors are encouraged to partner with parents to meet some of the goals the parent has for the mentoring relationship.

Can I bring my protégé with me to church?

Yes, if the child wants to attend. Throughout the mentoring relationship, we encourage our mentors to share their faith in a loving and natural way with their child.

What is the difference between Youth Horizons’ mentoring and Big Brothers/Big Sisters?

Big Brothers/Big Sisters has done a lot of good for this community. While both organizations provide mentoring services, we are very different. Youth Horizons is a Christian ministry; committed Christians who are active in a local church do 100 percent of our mentoring. Though kids and families do not need to be Christians to receive our services, they accept and agree to a Christian mentor.

Is Youth Horizons affiliated with a denomination?

No. We are a non-denominational Christian ministry. Currently, we have volunteers in over 50 different local churches, with at least 15 different denominations.

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