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United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN) is recruiting mentors to match with local elementary students for this coming school year’s Lunch Buddies mentoring program.
The program matches first through fourth grade students with screened, trained volunteer mentors to share one lunch break each week during the school year.
Volunteer mentors are needed for students in the Northeast Range School.
UWNEMN developed the Lunch Buddies mentoring program in 2020 after community conversations about keeping local youth out of the justice system.
“After looking at the intended outcome from many different angles and consulting with local experts, we determined our best approach was a preventive one and created Lunch Buddies” said UWNEMN Executive Director Erin Shay. “We are still too far out to see the long term impacts in action, but the short term impacts are promising.”
According to 2023-2024 program evaluations, mentors, school staff, and parent/guardians alike saw Lunch Buddies improve participating students’ self esteem, attitude, and school attendance.
In addition, school staff reported improved behaviors from participating students.
Mentorsarescreenedthroughan application, interview, and background check and receive training before meeting with their mentees. Lunch Buddies is anticipated to begin mid-October and run through early May.
To apply to be a Lunch Buddies mentor, visit www.unitedwaynemn. org/lunch-buddies or call 218-2152570.
A mentor and mentee share their lunch break at Northeast Range school through United Way of Northeastern Minnesota’s Lunch Buddies mentoring program.
