FAQ
For Mentors
Mentors must be either in middle or high school in the Big Bend area. Matches can be either virtual or in-person, depending on your wishes. In-person matches must have their own transportation. Sign up as a volunteer here.
Volunteer hours are recorded by the mentor in our master spreadsheet. Currently, we are developing our web application that will be integrated into our website to log hours, which will launch later this year.
Mentorship must be conducted for a minimum of a semester. After the semester, it is up to you, the student, and the guardian to decide how to proceed further. You can not quit before the semester ends unless a mutual agreement has been made between you and the guardian.
Mentoring is one of the most rewarding forms of service! Among the many benefits, a good mentor can help a mentee become more efficient at work, learn new skills, develop greater confidence, and make more logical decisions. The foster care population that BuddyKnit serves can greatly benefit from a positive role model, both socially and academically!
As of right now, all our positions are filled. We will be hosting events in the future and will need all the help we can get, so be on the lookout for some updates!
For Parents
All students must be in the 2nd to 8th grade and in the Big Bend area. While our focus is on students in foster care, we extend our service to all who can benefit. The majority of our sessions are conducted virtually for the time being, so access to a computer/WiFi is ideal. Sign up a student here.
This will depend on how to student is enrolled, our mentors’ capability, and existing guidelines. Matches made through Leon County Schools and BoysTown are strictly virtual for the time being. It is up to the guardian for other matches. Sessions can be held in a public space or facility, such as the library or a BGCBB club.
Mentors are recruited from middle and high schools in Leon County. They have to undergo training conducted by local community leaders, and a background check if the guardian wishes to do so.
Our mentorship program works on trust and honesty, and to ensure that everyone feels safe our mentoring sessions are not recorded. Mentors log 1-2 sentence summaries of each session to measure progress, which can be reviewed by the guardian at their request.
Students’ participation is completely voluntary. In the event that you want to discontinue mentoring, contact both the mentor and BuddyKnit admin.
Still have questions?
Contact us via email or phone and we will respond within 1-2 days!