Become a CfY Mentor
Why mentor with Community for Youth (CfY)?
Enrollment is currently open for our 2026-27 Learning Community, set to launch in Fall 2026.
Click here to jump straight to our Mentor Interest Form and begin the process for enrolling in the 2026-27 Learning Community.
At its best, Mentorship has countless benefits for youth in the Seattle community. Mentorship can:
Bolster academic success
Provide support to students experiencing depressive symptoms
Promote positive relationships and feelings of connection
Connect students with employment opportunities
Create a safe space for students to learn and practice skills
Our mentoring model is data-driven, based in racial equality, and prioritizes youth voices.When you mentor at CfY, you are an important cornerstone of critical programming that allows Seattle high school students to reach their full potential.
Every year, new individuals decide to become mentors in our community, and each one brings their own unique experiences, perspectives, and talents to our mentoring program. It is this diversity and the commitment of our mentors that make each year a truly distinctive and enriching experience for our mentees!
“I think community is really important because we are stronger together, and I think it’s objectively true that you accomplish more with other people in the same mindset and the same goalset.”
Receive individualized support in the form of regular check-ins, Mentor-Only training sessions and workshops, and open communication with CfY staff.
Gain a stronger connection to your community and form lasting friendships with youth and adults in your CfY cohort.
Embark on a journey of mutual growth and continuous learning while being there for a young person in your community!
What should I expect as a CfY mentor?
As a CfY mentor, you are dependable, patient, flexible, and open to learning. Above all else, you are committed to the success of every student in our community!
Our programming is student-centered. We are youth advocates who meet our students where they are and inspire them as they navigate their journey of transformation. We ask mentors to see youth not as broken or deficient, but as dedicated, committed, and powerful.
Relationships take work, and Mentorship is no exception - which is CfY staff are always a resource and source of support in your mentoring journey. We provide an initial two-part mentor training prior to matching, and then provide several Mentor Workshops throughout the program year, where mentors can connect with each other in-person, provide peer support, and learn about important concepts in youth mentoring. Program staff members check-in with matches regularly throughout the year, and remain easy-to-reach points of contact from Enrollment to Completion Ceremony.
Eligibility Requirements + Time Commitment
Be at least 21 years of age.
Reside in the greater Puget Sound area.
Be willing to adhere to all Community for Youth Mentoring Program policies and procedures and follow the CfY Code of Conduct.
Be willing to commit to the FULL duration of your selected program (8 Months for Learning Community, 6 Months for Duos).
Be willing to commit 2 hours per week to CfY programming (monthly workshops, small activity groups, and one-on-one meetings).
Be communicative and accountable to the student you are matched with.
Complete the screening procedure.
Have access to reliable transportation.
Have a current photo ID or driver’s license, auto insurance, and good driving record.
Have never been accused, arrested, charged, or convicted of child abuse or molestation.
Not use illicit drugs.
Not use alcohol or controlled substances in an excessive or inappropriate manner.
Not have falsified information during the course of the screening process.
Be vaccinated against COVID-19.