Lunch Buddies School-Based Mentoring
Lunch Buddies is designed to introduce students to the art of mentoring. The objective of the program is to improve a child’s social skills and self-esteem to foster a better attitude for learning — ultimately improving school success.
Lunch Buddies is an opportunity for the student to have one-on-one time with an assigned mentor. They eat lunch together and engage in meaningful conversation while interacting. They may play games, talk, read books, do a craft or work on a project. The time together may include help with academics, but at all times the focus will be the fostering of a caring and supportive friendship.
The Lunch Buddies mentors are primarily recruited from area businesses. These businesses agree to sponsor one or more employees (pay them over their Lunch Buddies time). Mentors check-in at the office, meet the student in the classroom, bring the student through the lunch line and continue in the designated Kinship Room. Lunch Buddies is an introduction to the art of mentoring for many mentors.
Kinship Partners currently has Lunch Buddies programs in Crosby Elementary, Eagle View Elementary (Pequot Lakes), Motley Middle School, Pequot Lakes Middle School, Harrison and Riverside in Brainerd, and Staples Elementary School. Kinship Partners plans to start a Lunch Buddy program at Garfield Elementary this fall with hopes of expanding to every elementary school in ISD 181 (Brainerd, Baxter, and Nisswa) as well as Pine River-Backus Elementary.
School-Based Mentoring in Crosby
For many kids, the seventh grade can be very intimidating. It involves a new school, new friends, and new challenges. Consequently, Kinship now matches seventh graders with juniors and seniors in Crosby.
Crosby School staff recommends potential student mentors. In addition to being recommended by the teachers, the mentors submit an application, are interviewed by Kinship Partners staff and receive training to prepare them for their new mentoring role.
Staff also identifies potential kids who could be matched with senior classmates. These school-based mentoring partnerships meet once a week. Partners build friendships, work on homework and provide guidance during their first year in high school.
For more information about mentoring, please call us at 218-829-4606.
Find a Lunch Buddies program in your area:
Cuyuna Range Elementary School
Eagleview Elementary, Pequot Lakes
Brainerd Elementary Schools
