Bethel School District

What is the Bethel Mentor Club?

Two smiling friends stand side by side indoors with a plant in the background.

The Bethel Mentor Program connects caring community volunteers with middle school students in the Bethel School District to build supportive, trusting relationships that foster resilience, confidence, and self-esteem. Launched in 2019 at Cascade and Shasta Middle Schools, the program now offers weekly lunchtime meetups at Cascade Middle School where students and mentors talk, play games, and build connection.

Led by Program Director Christy Sheerin, the program is powered entirely by volunteers. School counselors identify students who may benefit from additional support, whether they're navigating social challenges, housing instability, or simply in need of a trusted adult to talk to. Participation is voluntary and requires parent permission.

Mentors commit to just 45 minutes a week for the school year and receive training and ongoing support to help them build meaningful relationships with their students.

How Does Mentoring Help Students?

Mentoring in the middle school years is important because it is a time when students may feel isolated or lonely amid a variety of challenges. By matching middle school students with adults in the community, the Bethel Mentor Program provides students with an opportunity to have one-on-one time with a caring adult during lunch each week to share their interests, strengths, and concerns.

Just by being there to listen each week, mentors model a trusting relationship and can offer the encouragement and support students need. Research shows that mentoring may help students improve their self-esteem, socialization skills, and compatibility with peers, as well as their outlook on school and life. In addition, mentored students are more likely to have better school attendance.

This type of support is especially important in today’s world. Many students are struggling with gaps in academic and social-emotional learning, and in many ways, the world seems like a more complex place. A consistent relationship with trusted adults is one of the foundations of helping students develop resilience–the ability to continue on and adapt amid the challenges they face.

Two smiling women stand close together indoors against a plain wall.

How Do I Become a Volunteer Mentor?

Two people stand against a grey wall, giving each other a high-five.

Thank you for your interest in the mentor program!

Steps to become a volunteer with the Bethel Mentor Club

Complete a Bethel School District volunteer background check and Safe Schools training
Click here to begin your background check and Safe Schools training. If you’ve already done this for another Bethel volunteer role, please contact the Bethel School District office to confirm that your status will still be current for the upcoming school year.
Fill out the Bethel Mentor Club Questionnaire
Follow this link to complete the questionnaire. The information you provide on this form helps our school counselors match you with a student, and allows you to choose your preferred mentor day and lunch time.
Attend a volunteer orientation
Once we recieve your completed questionnaire, we’ll reach out to scheduel a volunteer orientation.This brief, 1-hour training introduces you to the program, the schools context, and key strategies for building strong mentor relationships. Coordinators are available during each lunch session to provide ongoing support throughout the school year.
Start mentoring once students are settled into the school year
After you’re matched with a student, we’ll contact you with your start date and arrange an initial meeting with the school counselor. You’ll receive helpful context about your student and support during your first mentor lunch.

If you have any questions or need more information, please email Christy Sheerin at bethelmentorprogram@bethel.k12.or.us We look forward to mentoring with you!