StandUp for Kids – Atlanta works to end the cycle of youth homelessness and its economic impact by providing support and resources to youth experiencing hardships beyond their control. We are incredibly grateful to the many volunteers, supporters, donors, and staff that have made the last twenty years a success. Follow our journey…be part of our history…be part of the mission to end the cycle of youth homelessness! Follow us @sufkatlanta on Instagram or Facebook.
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Mentor Program
We know that ending the cycle of youth homelessness starts with kids staying in school! We match our trained volunteer mentors with a student, identified by school social workers and counselors, for in-school mentoring twice a month during the student’s lunch period. These are high potential students that are in the midst of some type of family or housing transition and in need of additional guidance and support. Our mentors assist with setting personal and educational goals, life skills training, post-graduation planning, college visits, and support through graduation. Graduation rates for students experiencing homelessness hover around 67%. Students participating in our program have remained in school or graduated at a rate of 97% for the last three years!
The “North Star” Effect
For a young person, the world can feel like a series of closed doors or confusing paths. A mentor acts as a North Star—not by telling them where to go, but by helping them find their own orientation.
- Expanded Horizons: Many young people only know the careers and lifestyles they see in their immediate neighborhood. A mentor introduces them to “the art of the possible.”
- Safe Failure: A mentor provides a safety net where a young person can discuss mistakes without the fear of parental judgment or school-grade consequences.
- Social Capital: Mentors often share their networks, giving a young person access to rooms and conversations they might otherwise never enter.
Interested in mentoring? Contact [email protected]
