Engage, Enlighten, & Encourage Students
Volunteers are critical to our mission. Mentors support students during their academic journey, making a meaningful impact in the lives of the students we serve! Apply to become a volunteer below. If you’d like to chat over the phone or request a virtual meeting to learn more before you apply, email mentor@p4k.org. There are many ways to volunteer your time and support P4K students at any grade level.
Career Coach
If you’re interested in helping students but can’t make a regular commitment, consider becoming a P4K Career Coach! We often provide opportunities for students to learn from people in the community about resume writing, interviewing skills, personal budgeting, business networking, cooking, skilled trades, and more – that’s where you’d come in!
P4K welcomes you to share your professional expertise with our students. We also have annual events such as Mock Interviews, Career Panels, and Shark Tank where you could volunteer to be an interviewer so students can practice their job interviewing skills. Or you could be a “shark” as students present a business model.
If you’re interested, reach out to us at mentor@p4k.org or 402-930-3000 so we can keep you in the loop on upcoming opportunities!
Book Buddy
Book Buddies read to our pre-kindergarten through fourth-grade students. Twice a month, Book Buddies read a new book to two classrooms of students and facilitate a corresponding activity, adding that book to each child’s home library.
- Program Commitment: One school year
- Time Commitment: One hour (30 minutes in two classrooms), twice a month during the school year
- Elementary Schools: Field Club, Fontenelle, Franklin, Gifford Park, Minne Lusa, and Sherman
Goal Buddy
In 5th – 6th grades, Goal Buddies cultivate student accomplishments in reading, life skills, and attendance through goal setting: a powerful thinking process that turns ideas into realities, dreams into bright futures. Twice a month, Goal Buddies meet with students from two classrooms to review goals and talk about the future.
- Program Commitment: One school year
- Time Commitment: One hour (30 minutes in two classrooms), twice a month during the school year
- Elementary Schools: Field Club, Fontenelle, Franklin Elementary, Gifford Park, Minne Lusa, and Sherman
Group Mentor
In middle school through high school, mentors support students in small groups during after-school P4K meetings. Together they pursue program curriculum, career exploration, and postsecondary planning. Additional group outings deepen the mentor/mentee relationship.
- Program Commitment: One school year
- Time Commitment: 1.5 hours, twice a month, during the school year
- Middle Schools: Lewis & Clark, McMillan, Marrs, Norris, and Monroe
- High Schools: Benson, Central, North, Northwest, and South High School
One-Time Volunteer Opportunities
We need volunteers to share advise on a career panel, help with mock interviews, dress for success, etiquette, resume’ skills etc.
Business Tours
During non-school days and summer we offer students tours of local businesses of interest. This would include a tour, maybe hands-on experiences, and a possible light snack.
Job Shadow Opportunities
We pair a student with an employee in a preferred area of interest.
Internship Opportunities
We need corporate partners to provide internship opportunities for students, allowing them to receive on-the job training, income, experience and possibly academic credit.
Event Opportunities
Each year P4K has two major events where volunteers are needed to help plan, set-up, and execute the event.
Learn More
Email mentor@p4k.org to learn more. After an initial conversation, our team would be happy to help you find the mentoring experience that is the perfect fit for you. Fear not, our training and support will ensure that you have the tools you need to get started as a P4K mentor.
