Learn More About VOICE

The VOICE Mentor Program pairs volunteer adults or high school students with student mentees from all grades, in all schools within the Issaquah School District. Matches meet on school grounds, during school hours for 30-60 minutes each week as mentors support students through ongoing, positive, one-to-one relationships.

Studies show that when young people experience positive, supportive mentoring relationships, their outcomes are significantly better in a wide range of areas – from mastering social and emotional skills to succeeding in school – plus risk behaviors such as drinking, smoking, and fighting are significantly lower.

After submitting an application, our program will conduct a background check through the Washington WATCH Program.  Additionally we contact references and meet face-to-face with the potential mentor during a 2-hour Pre-Match Training session.

VOICE mentors work with students for up to one hour per week throughout the school year.

Our program provides a mandatory, in-person, pre-match training.  In this orientation to VOICE, potential mentors will learn what they need to know to feel comfortable and confident going into their first match meeting.

VOICE also provides the option for additional training throughout the year. Past subjects have included - Coping with Anxiety, Stress and Crisis; Growth Mindset; and Helping Mentees Transition to Secondary School, to name a few.

The VOICE program has on-site coordinators at each school who provide mentor support.  Additionally we offer several optional learning and sharing opportunities throughout the school year so mentors can improve their mentoring skills and learn more about the issues that impact young people today,

There are many different roles that mentors assume during the course of their mentorship. But in general, a good mentor uses respect, listening skills, flexibility, positivity and empathy to get to know their mentee over time, while learning and sharing about things that are important to the mentee.

Mentoring relationships are a shared opportunity for learning and growth. Many mentors say that the rewards they gain are as substantial as those for their mentees, and that mentoring has enabled them to have fun, achieve personal grown, learn more about themselves, gain a better understand of other cultures, gain a great appreciation for diversity, and feel as though they are making a positive difference.

Yes. Please refer to VOICE's Mentor Job Description for expectations of a mentor's commitment, role, responsibilities and training.