Mission and Values
Kindred Spirits Youth Mentoring connect youth in need of attention with caring adults in a mentoring relationship to nurture love and ignite curiosity, enthusiasm and creativity. We envision changing life trajectories, connecting people and creating prosperity and joy in our community. We value service and commitment, inclusion, a sense of responsibility for the quality of our community and having fun.
Focus on Mentoring
Our mission to connect young people with caring adults in mentoring relationships helps us focus on one of the keys to a healthy and purpose filled life, our shared humanity. Unlike other youth programs, Kindred Spirits Youth Mentoring is singularly focused on one-on-one longer term relationships that help provide the individual attention young people need. Our simple, yet intensive approach to youth development recognizes first that for young people to thrive, basic needs of safety, opportunity and love must be met. These life basics are best learned in person, by example, over time.
One-on-One Mentoring Meetings
Once volunteer mentors are screened and oriented to our mentoring approach they facilitate one-on-one meetings with our students to build a strong relationship and discover what may be needed to support a young person. In some cases mentors are able to provide the needed guidance and support directly. In others we serve as a resource to help a child get the attention they need. Meetings are usually during lunch time and focus on having fun and learning.
Social/Emotional Learning
We adhere to MENTOR guidance for Becoming a Better Mentor which provides strategies for being there for young people and we receive training from Mentor California, a state affiliate or MENTOR. Our focus is to supplement the academic learning in schools with targeted social, emotional learning that supports a child’s school experience. We work for and support the expertise of school staff, teachers and counselors as lay-people supporting of our community.
Filling the Gaps
Our founder has learned through years of mentoring experiences that when young people feel unsafe or have a lack of security it often effects the ability to learn and grow. KSYM mentors emphasize building a strong, consistent relationship that allows young people to move beyond survival to opportunity and personal growth. Because every child is different, we adjust our attention based on what they need. Think of us as a student’s buddy, keeping an eye on a close friend.
Exposure to Opportunities
Because the best learning environment can be experiential, KSYM provides new perspectives, life experiences and opportunities for students to experience places and events they might otherwise not be exposed to. Seeing a college campus, the ocean or a professional sports event in person can feed curiosity and ambition in our children and youth.