Learning Community
“Oftentimes, if you’re not a part of a community, it seems like the world’s falling on you. It seems like you’re the only one in it. But truthfully, once you step out and talk with people and connect with people, you find out that they’re going through the exact thing you are. And in doing that, it feels a lot less lonely.”
Our Learning Community Program steps past traditional mentoring and introduces different levels of connection to the entire cohort of mentors and students. This program follows the Academic Year (October – June) and meets on the same day of the week - typically Tuesday - for a duration of eight months. Mentors dedicate 2-3 hours each week for activities, and the Learning Community remains together for the duration of the year. Weekly activities rotate between:
Student-mentor workshops, also known as Community Workshops
One-on-one activity between a mentor and student match
Small group activity of three to four matches (Family Groups)
Mentor-only workshops
Being part of a Learning Community gives a mentor an opportunity to not only work with the same student for the entire year, but also mentor other students in the community, and work together with fellow mentors to create a supportive network.
The Program Year at a Glance
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Submit an interest form. If our program is a good fit, you will be asked to submit an application provided by a staff member. Following an interview and background check, you will be ready to attend orientation and get started!
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New mentors will attend two orientation sessions: a session focused solely on new mentors, and a session including both new and returning mentors.
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Following an initial orientation, we'll head off to Camp Sealth on beautiful Vashon Island for a weekend of community-building. Camp Launch Weekend is a time for students and mentors to form connections over games and group activities in our spectacular PNW surroundings.
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After a weekend of joy and connection, it's time to make matches! We'll have several more opportunities for mentor-student connection, followed by Match Night, where matches will be revealed!
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Matches between students and mentors live at the heart of CfY programming. As a CfY mentor, you'll be asked to meet with your student once-a-month for 2-3 hours for an activity agreed on by both parties.
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The entire Learning Community (consisting of all students and adults in the program) will meet once-a-month for a Community Workshop. At these workshops, participants will be able to connect with all of our community members, play community-building activities, and explore a critical topic together.
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During Match Night, mentors and students will be assigned to a Family Group. Your Family Group will consist of 4-6 other mentoring pairs, who you'll meet with once-a-month for a fun group outing.