Bridges Mentoring Program

Mission: To strengthen the self-esteem and social skills of children and youth by providing positive mentoring relationships at no cost to the youth or family.

The Bridges Mentoring Program was organized through Lutheran Social Services in March of 1999. Bridges Mentoring Program serves youth ages 5-17 attending Osage, Riceville, and St. Ansgar school districts. Bridges mentors are individuals that volunteer their time to be a role model to youth. They provide young people with support, counsel, friendship, and reinforcement. Mentors bring out strengths that are already there. They listen without judgement and provide perspective.

The Bridges Mentoring Program matches screened and trained adult volunteer mentors with youth in need of another positive influence in their life. Matches are made based on needs of the youth, personalities and interests, proximity, and are typically same gender. Adult volunteer mentors are screened and trained prior to being matched with a mentee. The program then provides periodic on going training. Mentors meet with their mentee a minimum of 1 hour per week for a year. The mentor establishes a friendly relationship with the mentee that encourages a positive life-style, and is a role model. It is the hope of the program that matches will remain active until the mentee graduates from high school.