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Make a lasting impact by volunteering to mentor one student—and change two lives in the process. Volunteer mentors have the opportunity to share unique skills and experiences through various mentoring options, including school-based, work-based, community-based, after school, and more.
Studies show that youth who have a caring adult mentor are more likely to succeed. They experience fewer disciplinary issues, earn higher grades, and attend school more regularly. That’s why we need YOU to be the difference maker through the Covington Mentoring Program in collaboration with Partners for Change, Esperanza Latino Center of NKY, and the Northern Kentucky Education Council.
Whether volunteer mentors can commit just 30 minutes or an hour a week, they can inspire students of all ages and help them unlock their potential. Training and ongoing support are provided to all volunteer mentors, ensuring they are set up for success.
Join us and make a positive impact today!
MENTOR ONE STUDENT, CHANGE TWO LIVES
School-Based Mentoring
School-Based Mentoring
DESCRIPTION:
Each mentor meets for an hour once a week with a 6th-12th grade student at Holmes Middle or High School. Meetings take place during the school day. A mutual meeting time is based on the the student's class schedule and mentor's availability. All mentoring matches have access to a staff member who is available to support and guide the relationship if mentors should have any questions or concerns. Mentors who want to work with middle or high school students must be 21 years or older.
STUDENT MENTEES:
Grades 6-12
LOCATIONS:
Holmes Middle School (grades 6-8) and Holmes High School (grades 9-12) are located on Holmes Campus at 2500 Madison Avenue in Covington, KY
TIME COMMITMENT:
Approximately one hour per week throughout the school year; summer meetings are optional based on the student's involvement in the Camp Covington summer program
CONTACT:
Holmes Middle School: Crystal Harden | crystal.harden@covington.kyschools.us | 859.392.1141
Holmes High School: Julie Wharton | julie.wharton@covington.kyschools.us | 859.655.9545 x16360
Lunch Buddies
Lunch Buddies
DESCRIPTION:
Mentors are matched with a 3rd-5th grade student and spend 30 minutes each week during the student’s scheduled lunchtime. Each mentor is provided with a guide for optional activities and conversations that will help the mentor and student get to know each other and enhance the time spent together. Lunch Buddies is conveniently offered at all five elementary schools in Covington Independent Public Schools. Lunch Buddy mentors must be 18 years or older.
STUDENT MENTEES:
Grades 3-5
LOCATIONS:
Glenn O. Swing Elementary School (501 W 19th Street, Covington, KY)
John G. Carlisle Elementary School (910 Holman Avenue, Covington, KY)
Latonia Elementary School (3901 Huntington Avenue, Covington, KY)
Ninth District Elementary School (2800 Indiana Avenue, Covington, KY)
Sixth District Elementary School (1901 Maryland Avenue, Covington, KY)
TIME COMMITMENT:
Approximately 30 minutes per week throughout the school year; summer meetings are optional based on the student's involvement in the Camp Covington summer program
CONTACT:
Natalie Westkamp | natalie.westkamp@covington.kyschools.us | 859.392.3177
After School Buddies
After School Buddies
DESCRIPTION:
This option is great for mentors who would prefer to stop in to visit on their way home from work in the late afternoons or who need some flexibility in their meeting times. Mentors are matched with a 3rd-5th grade student who is enrolled in and regularly attend the after school program. Matches spend 30-60 minutes each week after school (between 3:00 and 5:30 p.m.). Each mentor is provided with a guide for optional activities and conversations that will help the mentor and student get to know each other and enhance the time that the match spends together. Mentors are also welcome to watch or join in any after school activity that is going on during their time together. After School Buddies is offered at all five elementary schools in Covington Independent Public Schools. Mentors must be 18 years or older.
STUDENT MENTEES:
Grades 3-5
LOCATIONS:
Glenn O. Swing Elementary School (501 W 19th Street, Covington, KY)
John G. Carlisle Elementary School (910 Holman Avenue, Covington, KY)
Latonia Elementary School (3901 Huntington Avenue, Covington, KY)
Ninth District Elementary School (2800 Indiana Avenue, Covington, KY)
Sixth District Elementary School (1901 Maryland Avenue, Covington, KY)
TIME COMMITMENT:
Approximately 30-60 minutes per week throughout the school year; summer meetings are optional based on the student's involvement in the Camp Covington summer program
CONTACT:
Natalie Westkamp | natalie.westkamp@covington.kyschools.us | 859.392.3177
Work-Based Mentoring
Work-Based Mentoring
DESCRIPTION:
Through the work-based mentoring option, high school students are matched one-to-one with an adult professional in a chosen field of interest to explore a career, career interests, and related workplace and career development issues. Meetings take place once a month at the employer's worksite and (optionally) in-person at school. Work sites should have a minimum of three mentors. Mentors interested in work-based mentoring must be 21 years or older. This program is limited; interested work sites should contact Kate Andriacco for availability.
STUDENT MENTEES:
Grades 9-12
LOCATIONS:
Your workplace
Holmes High School (2500 Madison Avenue, Covington, KY)
TIME COMMITMENT:
Approximately 2-3 hours per month, typically October-April
CONTACT:
Kate Andriacco | kate.andriacco@covington.kyschools.us | 859.655.9545 x12203
Community-Based Mentoring
Community-Based Mentoring
DESCRIPTION:
Each mentor meets for an hour once a week with a 6th-12th grade student. Meetings take place outside of the school day and are arranged between the student, mentor, and student's family. Community-based can also be paired with school-based for a hybrid option. All mentoring matches have access to a staff member who is available to support and guide the relationship if mentors should have any questions or concerns. Community-based mentoring is not recommended for new matches. Mentors who want to work with middle or high school students must be 21 years or older.
STUDENT MENTEES:
Grades 6-12
LOCATIONS:
Meeting locations through community-based mentoring which occur outside of the school day are determined by the match
TIME COMMITMENT:
Approximately one hour per week throughout the school year
CONTACT:
Holmes Middle School: Crystal Harden | crystal.harden@covington.kyschools.us | 859.392.1141
Holmes High School: Julie Wharton | julie.wharton@covington.kyschools.us | 859.655.9545 x16360
Peer Mentoring
Peer Mentoring
DESCRIPTION:
High school student peer mentors are matched with a 4th-5th grade student and spend 45-60 minutes bi-weekly with mentees during the student’s enrichment time. The Bulldog Buddies peer mentoring program offers a unique opportunity for Holmes High School students to positively impact younger peers while developing their own leadership skills. By focusing on the core components of social-emotional learning (SEL) and the challenges of transitioning to middle school, this program aims to foster a supportive, interconnected school community that benefits all participants. All peer mentors must undergo formal training focused on the five core components of SEL and strategies for effective communication, conflict resolution, confidentiality and fostering positive relationships with younger students before beginning their mentoring duties.
STUDENT MENTEES:
Grades 4-5
LOCATIONS:
Student mentors are from Holmes High School, while the mentees are from Glenn O. Swing Elementary School and Sixth District Elementary School (Holmes Middle School coming soon)
TIME COMMITMENT:
Approximately 45 minutes bi-weekly throughout the school year
CONTACT:
Kate Andriacco | kate.andriacco@covington.kyschools.us | 859.655.9545 x12203
One to One Reading Coach
One to One Reading Coach
DESCRIPTION:
Reading on grade level by 3rd grade is one of the determining factors of a child's future academic success. In this program offered through the Northern Kentucky Education Council, One to One coaches meet with a 1st-3rd grade student for 35 minutes per week to improve their reading skills. One to One mentors must complete a five-hour training (typically offered in fall and spring) before working with students. All coaching materials are provided free of charge. This program is for adults 21 years or older. For more information about One to One, visit their website HERE or view a video HERE.
STUDENT MENTEES:
Grades 1-3
LOCATIONS:
Glenn O. Swing Elementary School (501 W 19th Street, Covington, KY)
John G. Carlisle Elementary School (910 Holman Avenue, Covington, KY)
Latonia Elementary School (3901 Huntington Avenue, Covington, KY)
Ninth District Elementary School (2800 Indiana Avenue, Covington, KY)
Sixth District Elementary School (1901 Maryland Avenue, Covington, KY)
TIME COMMITMENT:
Approximately 35 minutes per week throughout the school year
CONTACT:
Natalie Westkamp | natalie.westkamp@covington.kyschools.us | 859.392.3177
Polly Lusk Page | ppage@nkyec.org
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