Seattle Mentors
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OVERVIEW: Seattle Mentors is a mayoral initiative focused on youth mentorship managed by Seattle Parks & Recreation with a collaborative approach amongst city departments, and other public and private sectors in Seattle. Seattle Mentors promotes impactful mentorship, social/emotional health, and career exposure opportunities, where young people connect with one or more caring adults.
“Our youth deserve safe, supportive environments to learn, grow, and reach adulthood, and it will take an all-of-society effort...I never want any child in Seattle to feel like they need to leave here one day to find opportunity.” -Mayor Bruce Harrell
Director of Mentorship Romell Witherspoon introduces the Seattle Mentors program.
Welcome to Seattle Mentors!
We believe in the transformative power of mentorship to inspire growth and foster meaningful connections within our community. Through tailored mentoring opportunities, we empower our youth to reach their full potential, navigate challenges, and achieve their goals. Our dedicated team and community partners are committed to providing support, guidance, and resources to both mentors and mentees as they embark on their journey of personal and professional development.
5 Goals of Seattle Mentors
- Engage the Seattle community and recruit mentors for young people.
- Introduce youth mentorship into spaces where it has not been an active component, and strengthen youth mentorship in spaces where it already exists.
- Promote meaningful support and opportunities to young people within the City of Seattle.
- Assist young people in successful transition from middle school to high school, and from high school to postsecondary education and/or career preparation.
- Support youth-adult partnerships that foster opportunities for young people to recreate, rejuvenate, strengthen our environment, and build community.
4 Opportunities to Get Involved
Evolving Entourage
- What: Seattle Parks & Recreation (SPR) staff provides group mentoring for Youth Advisory Councils focused on social emotional and life skills
- Where: Teen Late Night Programs at SPR sites: Rainier Beach Community Center, Garfield Teen Life Center, Meadowbrook Teen Life Center, Bitter Lake Community Center
- When: Friday and Saturday nights year-round. Sessions occur monthly or bi-monthly after 7 pm during regular Late Night programming
Empowerment Excharge
- What: Industry-specific leaders will provide mentorship at SPR youth programs. Focus is on post-secondary preparation, career path coaching, industry exposure, and hands on learning
- Where: Teen Life Centers and SPR Community Centers
- When: 8-week cohorts offered in Fall (Sept-Nov), Winter (Nov-Feb) and Spring throughout the school year (Feb-May). Sessions will be held once per week on weekdays after school, or on Saturdays.
Visionary Voices
- What: Local community leaders and executives will share career inspiration and professional development through engaging presentations, job demonstrations, and hosting site visits.
- Where: Homebase for summer will be Garfield High School and field trips in the community through the Youth at Work program; during school year these will be held at SPR sites.
- When: These sessions will be held weekly on Fridays during July and August as part of the Youth At Work program. During the school year, these sessions will be held monthly.
The Bridge
- What: Engaging the larger Seattle community to get involved in mentorship through events, inspirational speaking series, marketing and educational campaigns
- Where: Throughout the Seattle community and online
- Follow us on Instagram to see what we are up to: @SEAYouthMentorship