Youth mentorship
One caring adult. A different path.
Sometimes one caring adult makes all the difference.
Our free youth mentorship program pairs high school students with trained mentors who offer guidance, encouragement and real world advice.
Along the way, teens build leadership skills they carry into college and work.
A trained mentorFree for Northern Virginia high school students
Why it matters
A mentor is not a parent. That is the point.
A mentor is a trusted guide who shows up and listens, outside of home and school.
Why does mentorship matter for teens?
A steady adult outside the family can change a young person's path. Young people facing an opportunity gap who have a mentor are 55 percent more likely to enroll in college, according to MENTOR. Mentored teens are also more likely to volunteer and take on leadership roles.
Why we do this
That is why our youth mentorship program exists. We want every Northern Virginia teen who could use someone in their corner to have one.
How it works
We make the match. They do the growing.
Our youth mentorship program is simple by design, so the relationship can do the work.
How does the EAESSI youth mentorship program work?
Each teen in our youth mentorship program is paired with a caring, trained adult mentor. They meet regularly to set goals, build leadership skills, work through school challenges and plan the path to college and career.
Paired
Your teen is matched with a caring, trained mentor.
Meet regularly
Steady sessions for guidance and encouragement.
Set goals
The mentor helps set goals and build leadership skills.
Plan ahead
Together they map the path toward college and career.
Leadership skills
Leaders are made. Here is what they practice.
Teens build leadership skills by doing, not by reading about them.
How can teenagers build leadership skills?
Teens build leadership skills through practice. In our program they speak in front of groups, plan and lead real projects, work in teams and set goals they track with a mentor. Each skill grows with a little responsibility and a lot of encouragement.
Public speaking
From short talks to leading a group discussion with confidence.
Teamwork
Working with people who think differently to finish a real project.
Planning
Breaking a big goal into steps, then following through.
Goal setting
Choosing one goal a season and checking progress with a mentor.
Service
Leading community projects that make a real difference.
Leaders are madeBy practice, with encouragement
Who we help
Which one of these sounds like your teen?
Every teen comes to our youth mentorship program from a different place.
"My teen is quiet and shy."
Quiet teens often become thoughtful leaders. Mentors help them find their voice at their own pace.
"We don't know how college works."
Mentors help first generation families plan for college one step at a time.
"My teen needs direction."
A mentor who shows up regularly can turn potential into progress.
"My teen already leads a club."
Great. A mentor helps them go deeper and lead something bigger.
Trained mentorsA safe, supportive setting
Safe and free
Safe and supervised. Free for every family.
Parents ask us about safety and cost first. Here are the answers.
Safe and supervised
Mentors are caring, trained adults who volunteer their time. Teens work with them in a safe, supportive setting.
Free for every family
Our youth mentorship program is free for high school students in Northern Virginia, and all levels are welcome. It is part of our wider youth leadership program, which also includes a summer leadership program.
Common questions
What parents ask before they sign up.
Ready to find a mentor?
The youth mentorship program is free for Northern Virginia high school students.
Who are the mentors?
Caring, trained adults who volunteer their time to guide and encourage teens in our youth mentorship program. Contact us to learn how mentors are matched.
How often do mentor and teen meet?
They meet regularly for guidance and encouragement. Contact us for the current schedule.
Is the youth mentorship program free?
Yes. EAESSI's youth mentorship program is our own, and it costs nothing to join.
What leadership skills will my teen learn?
Public speaking, teamwork, planning, goal setting and leading service projects.
Will a mentor help with college plans?
Yes. Mentors in our youth mentorship program help teens set goals and plan for college. See our college application help.
Is the program safe and supervised?
Yes. Teens work with trained mentors in a safe, supportive setting.
Youth mentorship
Give your teen someone in their corner. Register for the free program now.
Free for Northern Virginia high school students.
About EAESSI
Evelyn Ancrum Education Support Systems (EAESSI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Spotsylvania, Virginia. We help uninsured women get breast screenings and help Virginia students pay for college.
General educational information
This page describes EAESSI's free youth mentorship program. Contact us to learn how mentors are matched. Research on this page comes from this source: