Volunteers needed for UWNEMN’s Lunch Buddies mentoring program
‘Simple’ program making a serious difference
United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN) is recruiting mentors to match with local elementary students for this coming school year’s Lunch Buddies mentoring program.
The program matches first through fourth grade students with screened, trained volunteer mentors to share one lunch break each week during the school year.
Volunteer mentors are needed for students in the following schools:
- Cherry School
- International Falls Elementary
- Keewatin Elementary
- Laurentian Elementary (Virginia)
- Merritt Elementary (Mountain Iron)
- Mesabi East Elementary (Aurora)
- Northeast Range School (Babbitt)
- North Star Elementary (Eveleth)
- Parkview Elementary (Virginia)
- Vaughan- Steffensrud Elementary (Chisholm)
UWNEMN developed the Lunch Buddies mentoring program in 2020 after community conversations about keeping local youth out of the justice system.
“After looking at the intended outcome from many different angles and consulting with local experts, we determined our best approach was a preventive one and created Lunch Buddies” said UWNEMN Executive Director Erin Shay. “We are still too far out to see the long term impacts in action, but the short term impacts are promising.”
According to 2023-2024 program evaluations, mentors, school staff, and parent/guardians alike saw Lunch Buddies improve participating students’ self esteem, attitude, and school attendance.
“My child struggles with wanting to go to school,” one parent reported.” On days he had Lunch Buddies, he looked forward to going and was excited to spend time with his Lunch Buddy.”
In addition, school staff reported improved behaviors from participating students.
“Lunch Buddies taught [student] that he can get positive attention just for being himself,” a teacher said.
Most importantly, 100% of mentees said Lunch Buddies made them feel cared for.
“On its face, Lunch Buddies is simple – playing games and doing activities for one hour a week,” said UWNEMN Education & Childhood Programs Specialist Sarah Gardeski. “But the program is so much deeper than that. I really believe volunteer mentors are changing lives.”
The impact is seen and felt by mentors, as well.
“I can tell my mentee’s home life is a bit unstable, only because mine was as well, and I can see a lot of myself in him,” said a mentor.
Mentors are screened through an application, interview, and background check and receive training before meeting with their mentees. Lunch Buddies is anticipated to begin mid-October and run through early May.
To apply to be a Lunch Buddies mentor, visit www.unitedwaynemn.org/lunch-buddies or call 218-215-2570.
Since 1966, United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN) has worked to serve the needs of individuals and families on the Iron Range (Northern St. Louis County and Eastern Itasca County), Koochiching County, and Lake of the Woods County. The organization’s mission is to unite and focus our communities in creating measurable results to improve people’s lives and strengthen our families. For more information, visit www.unitedwaynemn.org.