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Youth Empowerment

Mentoring

Building Relationships
That Matter

Our Youth Mentoring Services are designed to empower children and teens (K-12) by connecting them with mentors who offer support, encouragement, and guidance. 

As a mentor, you can help build self-esteem, encourage positive choices, identify and work toward goals, lend new perspectives, or simply be a friend to a young person who needs someone in their corner—all in as little as one hour per week.
 

Our Mentoring Programs

We offer three Mentoring programs throughout the region.
 

  • IN-SCHOOL
    IN-SCHOOL

    In-school mentoring for youth in grades Pre-K to 12

  • HIGH SCHOOL
    HIGH SCHOOL

    Mentoring in and out of school for youth in grades 9-12

  • COMMUNITY
    COMMUNITY

    Mentoring in the community for youth aged 7-14

 

 


For youth in grades Pre-K to 12

In-School Mentoring

In-School mentors spend one hour per week with an elementary or middle school student at their school. Matches can choose how they spend their time, from playing basketball to reading or simply having lunch together.

We’re proud to partner with school districts across the region to bring in-school mentoring to students who can benefit from extra support and encouragement. Currently, we work with districts in Sioux Falls, Baltic, Brandon Valley, Canton, Dell Rapids, Aberdeen, Flandreau, Garretson, Harrisburg, Lennox, Tea Area, Tri-Valley, and West Central.

If you’d like to explore bringing our mentoring program to your school district, we’d love to hear from you! Give us a call at 605-444-7803.

School counselors can make a referral for a child to sign up for an in-school mentor.

For youth in grades 9-12

High School Mentoring

High school mentors spend four hours each month with their mentees—either during or outside of school—helping them set meaningful goals, succeed at school, and explore career opportunities.

We’re proud to partner with school districts in Lincoln and Minnehaha counties to bring mentoring to high school students who can benefit from extra support and encouragement.

If you’d like to explore bringing our mentoring program to your school district, we’d love to hear from you! Give us a call at 605-444-7803.

To make a referral or sign up your child for High School Mentoring, please complete this form.
 

For youth aged 7-14

Community Mentoring

Community mentors spend four hours each month with a young person aged 7-14 in their community. Matches select activities together, and we support them by offering discounts for food and activities, as well as organizing monthly events.

Children in Lincoln and Minnehaha counties can be matched with a caring mentor who spends quality time with them outside of the school day, providing support, encouragement, and fun experiences. 
 
To sign your child up for Community Mentoring, please complete this form.
 

 

 

Hear from the Mentees

Watch their Videos

“Almost every mentor has said they started out thinking they’d be helping a kid — listening to them and hanging out for a bit — but they’ve been blown away by how much it’s impacted them personally.”

Michelle Madsen – Sr. Director, LSS Community Services

Read more

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