Are you looking for someone to offer you advice, support, guidance, and more? A mentor is an adult who can be an extra support to you for the big and little things in life. Often, mentors can do fun activities with you or teach you how to do new things. There are some great opportunities for youth in our community to have mentors!
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Type of service: Mentoring What they do: Match youth with 1:1 mentors, provide "site-based" mentoring, and community events for "bigs" and "littles" Who is eligible? Ages 5-14, no restrictions. Free! You can enroll to get a personal one on one mentor or have a mentor at a site. Referral needed? Referrals are accepted from schools, counselors, and DCFS, but no referral is needed Best way to access services: Call office and make appointment.
Address: 110 Walnut Court Jacksonville, IL 62650 Hours of operation: Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (By request during COVID) Phone number: 217-602-0023 Contact person: Brian Ganz email: b.ganz@bbbscil.org Website: www.bbbscil.org
GoodGuides
Type of service: Mentoring What they do: Group mentoring events. This program challenges youth ages 12-17 to be leaders in their school and community. Youth participate in service learning projects, tutoring, and serve as role models to other youth. The goal is to have students become lifelong scholars and leaders. GoodGuides also assists youth in finding a future career. They offer a student-athlete program, service learning, summer youth employment, career and life navigation, and mentoring. Who is eligible? All youth ages 12-17 are welcome. Free! Referral needed? No Best way to access services: Call Sam at 217-370-8357 or Ikenna at 217-789-0400.
Phone number: 217-340-8357 or 217-789-0400 Contact person: Sam Holmes, Jr. or Ikenna Martin email: slhjr30@hotmail.com
Jacksonville DREAM Center Foundation
Type of service: Mentoring What they do: Match youth with mentors who assist them in developing their interests and skills. Volunteer projects at the center and in the community. Who is eligible? All are welcome. Referral needed? None needed Best way to access services: Walk in, or email with questions
Address: 210 W. College, Jacksonville Hours of operation: Most afternoons and evenings from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm. Call or email ahead of time to get matched with someone. Phone Number: 217-473-1303 Contact person: Steve Cantrell email: jacksonvilledreamcenter@gmail.com
Type of service: Mentoring What they do: Match expectant mothers with a peer mentor. Mentees can receive "baby bucks" to spend in the organization's store to obtain items for themselves or their child Who is eligible? Open to all. All services are free. Referral needed? No referral needed Best way to access services: Call 245-9340 or visit website to request an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome.
Address: 1440 West Walnut, Suite A-3, Jacksonville Hours of operation: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m, Wednesday and Friday by appointment only. Phone number: 217-245-9340 Website: http://pregnancyresourcecenter.org/locations/jacksonville/
JAY-PRO - Jacksonville Alternatives for Youth Promoting Restorative Opportunities
Type of Service: Mentoring/Community Service Provider What do they do: Community based program designed to provide community service hours and volunteerism opportunities to youth of Morgan county. The program promotes mentoring, support, job skill development, life skills, restorative justice, community and civic engagements. Who is eligible: Morgan County youth between 11-21 years of age. Referral needed? Required community service hours require a referral, volunteerism is welcome to all. Best way to access: Call (217)-245-6000 or submit referral form
Address: 2001 West Lafayette Ave., Jacksonville, IL, 62650 Hours of operation: M-F 8:30 am - 4 pm Community Service: M-F 4:00 - 6:00 pm and Saturday 10:00 am - 1:00 pm