Ignite A Child's Dream

Become A Mentor

DID YOU KNOW? 1 IN 3 YOUTH NEED A MENTOR

Make a meaningful difference...help a child reach their full potential.

WE ARE U.S. DREAM ACADEMY

We’re not looking for superheroes — just everyday, awesome people like YOU, from the community, who want to help empower children to reach their full potential.

College Students

College Students

College students, as individuals or members of a campus-based organization, find great reward as mentors. As academic tutors or enrichment activity teachers, they build friendships with youth mentees. Service-level credit is available.

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Caring Adults

Caring Adults

Caring adults volunteer as mentors to underserved youth & help them achieve their highest potential. Community residents & employees from local businesses offer guidance, career exploration, & academic support for the next generation.

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Wise Senior Citizens

Wise Senior Citizens

As mentors to youth, retirees build mutually-fulfilling friendships. Increased feelings of purpose for senior citizens and the transfer of their wisdom & character values to youth produces growth and great positive outcomes for mentees.

I'M INTERESTED

BUILDING DREAMS THROUGH MENTORING

  • WHY MENTORING

    The research and our own experience over 24 years has shown us the incredible impact that a mentor can make in the life of a child.  


    Research shows that young people with a mentor are: 


    56% more likely to enroll in college

    52% less likely to skip school; and 

    130% more likely to be a team leader. 


    What do these statistics translate to in real life? For our DreamKids, this looks like showing up to school more frequently, turning in homework on time, volunteering to be in a leadership role, raised aspirations about their future and greater self-confidence. 

  • THE NEED - MENTORING GAP

    For over 24 years, U.S. Dream Academy has served over 11,000 children living in neighborhoods harmed by high rates of incarceration. While we’ve impacted many lives over the years, there is a still a huge mentoring gap in the U.S. — 1 in 3 children between ages 8 – 18 do not have a mentor.


    Our goal is to ensure that every student in our after-school mentoring program is matched with a caring mentor.


    We are currently looking for 300 men and women to invest 1 hour per week with a child. Evidence-based studies show that youth mentoring produces great, positive outcomes for youth versus youth who have no mentors. Be a part of the answer – Become A Mentor Today!

  • CAN VIRTUAL MENTORING FILL THE GAP?

    We now offer virtual mentoring through our online, secure platform, DreamCloud.  You can mentor a child from anywhere in the world! 


    You and two other volunteer mentors will be matched with a small group of 3-6 students who will meet weekly online. 


     Using our newly designed Dream Journey workbook, your mentoring cohort will work together through the school year on a journey of discovery of self, each other, the community and the world... culminating in a community service project. 


    The curriculum is designed to build these four assets: 


    Commitment to Learning 

    Quality of Relationships 

    Positive Values and Character

    Envisioning a Positive Future 

IMPACT OF MENTORING YOUTH

IN UNDER-INVESTED COMMUNITIES

56%

MORE LIKELY TO ENROLL IN COLLEGE

52%

LESS LIKELY TO SKIP SCHOOL

78%

More likely to volunteer regularly

130%

MORE LIKELY TO BE A TEAM LEADER

BENEFITS OF BEING A MENTOR

HAVE FUN WITH A NEW FRIEND

Mentoring relationships are a shared opportunity for learning and growth for both the mentor and mentee, while having enjoyable time together.

GIVE BACK & FEEL GOOD

In your role as a mentor, you'll experience feelings of accomplishment and increased self-esteem as you help to make a difference in the life of a young person.

BECOME A BETTER LEADER

Learn more about yourself, develop stronger communication skills, and gain a better understanding of diverse cultures and the desire for youth to persevere.

EXPAND YOUR NETWORK

Volunteer as a mentor and expand your personal & professional network. Our Dream Mentors develop strong team relationships providing support to each other.

TELL US YOU'RE INTERESTED

Fill out the form below to be connected to our program staff to get answers to your questions and learn more about the mentoring program.

TESTIMONIALS

See what some of our Dream Mentors have to say about their experience with being a mentor to a young person.

“I'd tell someone thinking about becoming a mentor (with the U.S. Dream Academy) to 'just do it!' You can help yourself and someone younger than you find the path.”

DREAM MENTOR

“I've seen my mentee's confidence grow. She is more comfortable in her surroundings.”

DREAM MENTOR

“My mentee changed a lot over the year. He started paying more attention to his grades and was studying more. He definitely improved academically”

DREAM MENTOR

How You Can Help

Have questions? Interested in learning more?

CONTACT US