Why Volunteer for Pathways?

Tutoring and mentoring can be enriching experiences for both volunteer and student. Volunteering for Pathways is an opportunity to make a long-lasting, positive difference in the lives of young people. By helping students improve their academic performance and self-worth, you are making a strong, collective statement about how much our community believes in the capabilities of our youth.

There are many personal benefits to volunteering for Pathways as well. As a Pathways Volunteer, you will:

• develop interpersonal communication skills and learn more about yourself
• meet a diverse group of students across a variety of academic disciplines and establish a rapport with people from diverse backgrounds
• gain valuable experience & training to add to your resume
• receive a reference letter
• become a good role model
• experience the satisfaction of knowing you contributed to student success

You might even discover a new career opportunity!

The Time Commitment

Tutors/Mentors are asked to:

• commit two hours, one night a week for a full academic year starting in October
• attend an initial training session and additional sessions for each year of participation
• attend optional volunteers’ group events, community service activities, and program recognition events.

The Role

As a volunteer Tutor, you will:

• provide academic support to assigned tutees, either in a group or individually
• help students develop the study skills necessary for academic success
• help students develop self-confidence and reduce anxiety or fear of failure in academic work
• help students develop positive attitudes toward learning and studying
• attend periodic training sessions to support you in your volunteer role.

As a volunteer Mentor, you will:

• support a youth through an ongoing one-to-one or group relationship and serve as a positive role model and friend
• facilitate youth group evening programs with two other mentors, preparing and running engaging activities
• assist mentee with setting realistic goals to achieve academic and personal success. 

Qualifications Needed?

As a Pathways Volunteer, you:

• communicate with youth openly and without judgment
• establish relationships based on shared responsibility and respect
• are sensitive to persons of different educational, economic, cultural or racial backgrounds
• are friendly, patient, and sensitive to a diversity of students. 

As a Pathways Tutor, you:

• have the capacity to tutor either English, math, science, geography, history or French, and/or have the capacity to
• tutor English language learners and exceptional students

What Now?

If you are interested in becoming a Pathways Volunteer Tutor or Mentor or would like some more information about the Pathways to Education program, please contact Pathways at 519-743-6333, x266.  Potential volunteers are asked to complete a written application with two references. Following, the volunteer screening process includes a personal interview and the successful completion of a police record check.