How to Become a Mentor
The process is simple and straightforward. To learn more, you may visit us in our office (276 East Napa St., Sonoma, CA), call us (707-938-1990), or fill out our online application. Our staff will reach out to your with New Mentor Training dates and if further information is needed, once your application is received.
Matching New Mentors with Mentees
Following application approval and New Mentor Training, children are matched with mentors based on social and emotional needs, as well as mutual interests. You won’t believe what you have in common as you begin to meet one hour a week in a Mentor Center.
Ongoing Support
Our Mentor Center professionals observe weekly mentor/mentee interactions. Both mentee and mentor are interviewed on the progress of the relationship.
all are Welcome
What It's Like To Be A Mentor
What People Are Saying
“In my twenty two years of working at Flowery School, I have not seen any program that has so intimately touched the lives of so many of our students.”
Mentor and Retired Flowery Elementary School teacher
“I just want to say thanks for everything. Thanks for being a mentor and, most of all, a friend. I don’t know what path my life would have taken without your help or friendship.”
18-Year-Old Mentee
More on Mentoring
- The Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance Program was established at Flowery Elementary School 1996.
- Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, was formed in May, 1999.
- The Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance serves students on the seven public school campus in the Sonoma Valley Unified School District. Presently, there are Mentor Centers located at Flowery, El Verano, Sassarini, and Prestwood Elementary Schools, Altimira and Adele Harrison Middle Schools, and Sonoma Valley High School.
- The goal is to match every child who is in need of social or emotional support with a caring adult role model from the Sonoma Valley community.
- Mentors volunteer a minimum of one hour, once a week, during the academic day.
- Presently, there are over 325 volunteer mentors who work one-on-one with 325+ children in grades K-12.
- Student, Parent, and Mentor must sign an Expectation Agreement, so that all are clear about the support the program offers.
- Students may be nominated for the Mentoring Alliance Program, by teachers, principals, school counselors or parents.
- Throughout the year, on-going Mentoring support is provided in the form of group education and one-on- one coaching.
- Off-campus outings on weekends, during school vacations and over the summer are encouraged between the Mentors and Mentees with the approval of the parents.
- The Mentoring Alliance offers Mentees the opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities such as sports, dance, art, drama, music.