Community and School-Based Mentoring Programs
Stark County has a variety of community and school-based mentoring programs. If you would like to be a mentor or if you are looking for a program for yourself or your child, check out these opportunities and contact them to get involved. If you can't find a program that fits your needs, let us know what you are looking for by filling out our How Can We Help? form .
- Be A Better Me Foundation
Description: Designed to help empower and encourage youth, who are on or off the right path in life, to see the good in themselves & others. Serves young men and young woman ages 10-16 through six-week mentoring academies offered at various times throughout the year. Also offers tutoring, ACT prep, and other events and activities.
Mentor Opportunities: Seeking high school students for paid tutoring and to serve as student ambassadors along with adult mentors interested in providing career exposure for mentoring academy students.
525 Market Ave N
Canton, OH 44702
(330) 754-6881
info@beabetterme.org
Contacts: Officer Lamar and Dierdra Sharp
- Beyond the Game
Description: Provides mentorship for student-athletes, serves third graders in partner school districts through “Guys With Ties” lunch program focused on professional behavior and life skills, and runs free summer sports camps, Mind, Body & Soul camps and other youth-focused events. Provides internships for high school students interested in gaining marketing and social media experience.
Mentor Opportunities: Seeking school district partners and adult male mentors within the school to be daily role models of the values taught in the program.
(330) 705-3398
PO Box 8516
Canton, OH 44711
improve@gobeyondthegame.org
Contact: Devin Jordan
- BeYoutiful Weirdo, LLC
Description: Offers a variety of programming to meet the educational, social, emotional and recreational needs of young women 5-17 years of age, Hosts an annual Princess Party.
Mentor Opportunities: Seeking adult female mentors to help with programming, fundraising, leadership development of young women.
(234) 804-6850
131 Tremont Ave SE
Massillon, OH 44646
beyoutifulweirdollc@gmail.com
Contact: Ke'AunteTynette
- Big Brothers Big Sisters
Description: Serves youth 6-18 years of age with a mission to create and support one-to-one relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Also offers site-based after-school mentoring with partner school districts with
Mentor Opportunities: Seeking mentors 18 and older for one-on-one mentoring for children 6-18 years old; Also seeking high school students to mentor middle and elementary school children in after-school programs.
(330) 445-1122
408 9th St. SW
Canton, OH 44707
info@mentorwithme.org
Contact: Raland Hatchett
- Boys and Girls Club of Massillon
Description: Works to inspire and enable all young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens through education, career, character and leadership development programming, along with arts, sports and recreation activities.
Mentor Opportunities:
Seeking adult volunteers to assist with field trips and programming.
(330) 833-4395
730 Duncan Street SW
Massillon, OH 44647
info@massillonkids.org
Contact: Vince Pedro
- Boy Scouts- Buckeye Council
Description: Prepares young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
Mentor Opportunities: Seeking volunteers to be den leaders, Scoutmasters, or merit badge counselors.
2301 13th Street NW
Canton, OH 44708
330-580-4272
buckeye@bsamail.org
Contact: Sarah Biltz
(330) 473-9872
Chris Hyde - Alliance and Minerva
(330) 904-2823
- CAST Kids
Description: C.A.S.T. represents a diverse group of both adults and students who feel we are truly blessed to be a blessing and long to give back in our community. They work with students from Early College Academy and Timken Early College High School in Canton.
Mentor Opportunities: C.A.S.T. has something for everyone! If you have a heart for serving, we can help! We partner with the Refuge of Hope, Habitat for Humanity, the JRC Adult Day Care Center and Learning Center and now have C.A.S.T. groups at both the Early College Academy and Timken Early College High School in Canton.
Facebook: CAST-Caring and Serving Together
(330) 806-5742
castserves@gmail.com
- Chesters MOP
Description: Runs sport camps and group mentoring programs in partnership with area school districts and community centers.
Mentor Opportunities: Seeking adult volunteers, especially former high school athletes, to help facilitate small group activities and lead mentoring conversations.
(330) 554-0163
nate.chester@chestersmop.org
Contact: Nate Chester
- Edward "Peel"Coleman Southeast Community Center
Description: Local recreation center operated by Canton Parks and Recreation that engages the community though a variety of educational programming, sports, recreation and camp activites, leadership development and mentoring.
Mentor Opportunities: Seeking volunteers to assist with all programming and activities.
1400 Sherrick Rd. SE
Canton, OH 44704
(330) 489-3350
skyler.parks@cantonohio.gov
Contact: Skyler Parks
- En-Rich-ment of Stark County
Description: Provides music lessons, instruments, education, training, art, theater, dance, voice, drumline, agriculture, graphic design, & YouTube 101 classes free of charge to urban youth ages 5-18.
Mentor Opportunities: Seeking adult mentors to assist with youth programming and events.
1014 Cleveland Ave NW
Canton, OH 44702
(330) 546-7724
bettymacsmith@gmail.com
Contact: Betty Smith
- First Tee Canton
Description: Uses the game of golf to teach character to young people ages 7-18 through classes, leagues and school-based sessions.
Mentor Opportunities: Seeking high school and adult golf enthusiasts to assist with golf programs/classes, events, administrative and board positions and facilities/landscaping.
2525 25th St. NE
Canton, OH 44705
(330) 452-5331
admin@firstteecanton.org
Contact: Angela Palomba
- Foster Grandparent Program
Description: A National Service tutoring and mentoring program serving children from birth to the age of 21. Running nation-wide since 1965, Foster Grandparents work with students in schools, Head Starts, community centers, and other public, non-profit contexts with the goal of helping young people reach their academic and personal potential.
Mentor Opportunities: Seeking Stark County residents aged 55 and older who enjoy working with children and can pass a thorough background check (paid-for by the program.) As part of the War on Poverty, Foster Grandparents must meet income-eligibility requirements; they then receive a tax-free, non-reportable stipend to defray the cost of volunteering. 20 hours of pre-service training and on-going in-service training is provided.
Phone: 330-221-8783
jnan@fscohio.org
Contact: Julie Nan
- Girl Scouts of NE Ohio
Description: Prepares girls for a lifetime of leadership, success, and adventure in a safe, no-limits place designed for and by girls.
Mentor Opportunities:
Looking for troop volunteers and service unit leaders to start troops, mentor girls and facilitate Scout activities.
1-800-852-4474
- Girls on the Run East Central Ohio
Description: Inspires girls to recognize their inner strength and celebrate what makes them one of a kind. Trained coaches lead small teams through our research-based curricula which includes dynamic discussions, activities and running games. Over the course of the ten-week program, girls in 3rd-8th grade develop essential skills to help them navigate their worlds and establish a lifetime appreciation for health and fitness. The program culminates with girls positively impacting their communities through a service project and being physically and emotionally prepared to complete a celebratory 5K event.
Mentor Opportunities: Seeking volunteers to coach a team or volunteer for their 5Ks, also interested in partnering with groups to create opportunties for connection.
237 Tuscarawas St. West Suite B
Canton, OH 44702
(844) 446-8779
info@gotreco.org
Contacts: Mary Jo Harroff
- Hannah's House 119
Description: Serves girls ages 6th-12 grade who are navigating challenging circumstances by providing mentoring and supportive programming.
Mentor Opportunities: Seeking adult mentors for in-school, after-school, Monday and Wednesday night, and one-on-one mentors; Also looking for volunteers for driving, food prep, child care, baking, and special events.
213 E. Nassau St.
East Canton, OH 44730
(330) 495-2970
info@hannahshouse119.com
Contact: Patti Hostetler
- Leader's Edge
Description: Leader's Edge is a non-profit focused on the development of positive values and decision making for middle school students. Leader's Edge has teamed with Anti-Virus Youth to bring a dynamic 10-week program to area middle schools.
The Leader’s Edge AV Program provides materials as well as trained mentors to go into schools. The program currently serves over 60 schools and over 9,000 students annually in Northeast Ohio. This includes Stark County as well as 15 other counties.
Mentor Opportunities: Mentors are needed to present the Leader’s Edge AV Program in local schools one day a week across a 10-week period. Mentors are screened, and trained prior to being employed as a mentor. Mentors are paid an hourly wage for mentoring, and a typical school assignment is 10 days of work across a 10-week period.
www.leadersedge.org/influencing-schools
(330) 440-5651
PO Box 53
Dover, OH 44622
Contact: Ted Gerber- Educational Director LE/AV
- Legacy Project of Stark
Description: Builds small group mentoring relationships between community members and 4th-8th graders in school-day based meetings that focus on smart decisions, responsible academic performance, and positive behavior modifications.
Mentor Opportunities: Seeking adult mentors able to meet with student groups once a week during the school day throughout the school year.
PO Box 36747
Canton, OH 44735-6747
(330) 704-8007
Contact: Eugene Lingenhoel and Jenn Warner
- Lighthouse Ministries
Description: Serves school-age youth of southeast Canton through after-school programs, ministry clubs, summer activities and acts of service.
Mentor Opportunities: Seeking adult mentors to assist with career exploration and business-building activities
1931 3rd St. SE
Canton, OH 44707
(574) 233-7901
info@kellerparkchurch.org
Contact: Darrin Nissley
- Lunch with a Leader
Description: Serves Alliance City Schools students through weekly career and life skill-focused sessions over the lunch hour.
Mentor Opportunities: Seeking adult mentors to share career insight and life experiences in group sessions and assist with one-on-one mentoring when needed.
Family Empowerment Ministries
(240) 271-6201
1250 E. State St.
Alliance, OH 44601
contact@soffcoh.org
Contact: Raymont & Brenda Johnson
- Martin Center
Description: Offers high school nights on Mondays and middle school nights on Tuesdays from 6-9pm that includes hang-out time, games, dinner and basketball.
Mentor Opportunities: Seeking volunteers for group mentoring and to play basketball
3rd Street Community Church
1253 3rd St. SE
Canton, Ohio
330. 961.1253
Contact: Serena Draper Hendershot & Kenny Thomas
- Sing For Your Supper
Description: Serves Alliance students ages 8-18 and features activities to teach young people how to cook and build skills in singing, music, keyboard and art.
Mentor Opportunities: Seeking adult volunteers who enjoy teaching youth the skills taught in the program.
Family Empowerment Ministries
(330) 903-7007
1250 E. State St.
Alliance, OH 44601
contact@soffcoh.org
Contact: Brenda Johnson
- Tiqvah Hands of Hope
Description: Serves elementary, middle school and high school students from Canton City Schools with faith-based programming that impact children’s lives mind, body and soul.
Mentor Opportunities: Seeking high school and adult mentors willing to dedicate one hour a week to build relationships with students through cooking/serving a meal, driving a van, helping with homework, or simply spending time connecting.
530 Tuscarawas St. W
Canton, OH 44702
Mail:
PO Box 80213
Canton OH 44708
(330) 353-9697
Contact: Lesley Doan
- TomTod Ideas
Description: Serves middle school students through school-based programs and summer camps, helping them grow personally, prepare vocationally, and impact civically.
Mentor Opportunities: Seeking adult mentors to provide advice, encouragement and expertise to middle schoolers developing their ideas to serve the common good.
715 Market Ave. N
Canton, OH 44702
(330) 617-4753
Contact: Joel Daniel Harris
- YMCA Teen Leader Clubs and Youth Activities
Description: YMCA Leaders Club is a National YMCA Club that gives teens in grades 6 to 12, an opportunity to gain real-life, hands-on, leadership experience through volunteer opportunities and training at the Y, assisting in planning activities for their local YMCA, weekend retreats (Rallies), Youth & Government State Assemblies and the Great Lakes Leaders Training School (Mt. Vernon Nazarene University). Through volunteering and leadership they will gain insight into helping others and the importance of teamwork within their YMCAs, schools and communities. Stark County YMCA's also host many family, youth and teen events and activities.
Mentor Opportunities: Seeking volunteers to assist with Teen Leader programming and other youth-oriented activities.
www.ymcastark.org
Family, Youth and Teen programs
YMCA Locations and Contact Info
Lake Community YMCA Teen Leaders
Contact: Zac Piersol
zpiersol@ymcastark.org
Louisville YMCA Teen Leaders
Contact: Arryn Slutz
aslutz@ymcastark.org
Meyers Lake YMCA Teen Leaders
Contact: Ricky Lovell
rlovell@ymcastark.org
North Canton Community Building Teen Leaders
Contact: Madison Staib
mstaib@ymcastark.org
Paul and Carol David YMCA Teen Leaders
Contact: Shawn Stone
sstone@ymcastark.org
- Youth Leadership Academy of Stark County
Description: High school sophomores from all county districts meet through-out the school year in this two-year program to build leadership potential, learn the power of the individual or group to initiate community transformation, and gain an increased sense of self-determination. They learn their areas of personal strengths and how to use them to create a life of success, meaning, and fulfillment.
Mentor Opportunities: Seeking area professionals and companies interested in participating in activities or hosting site visits as part of the program curriculum.
Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce
222 Market Ave N
Canton, OH 44702
(330) 458-2095
joy@leadershipstarkcounty.com
Contacts: Stephanie Werren
