Austin's Seedling Foundation Urgently Seeks Volunteers for Mentoring Kids

Austin Nonprofit's Urgent Need for Mentors to Support At-Risk Youth

AUSTIN, Texas — It has been said often that kids are the future, and those seeds are in constant need of nourishment. For the many children facing unique challenges, particularly those who have incarcerated parents, mentorship can provide essential emotional and academic support. The Seedling Foundation, an Austin-based nonprofit, has been dedicated to this cause for nearly two decades. However, they are currently grappling with a critical shortage of volunteers.

Understanding the Need for Mentorship

Seedling Foundation focuses on providing school-based mentoring for children with incarcerated parents, a demographic that often goes overlooked. Dan Leal, the foundation’s CEO, stressed that mentoring is crucial for children’s development, stating, “We provide a caring, compassionate mentor that goes into a public school to spend just one lunch hour per week with a child.” Unfortunately, the post-pandemic landscape has made it increasingly challenging to find volunteers willing to commit time to this noble cause.

The Statistics Behind Incarcerated Parents and Their Children

According to program evaluations, children with incarcerated parents face severe challenges, including emotional and educational disruptions. These children benefit tremendously from mentorship, with statistics showing that 85% of mentees achieve positive outcomes across various areas, such as resilience and social skills. By providing these role models, Seedling aims to help mitigate the adverse effects these children may face in their daily lives.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Volunteer Availability

In recent times, Seedling has observed a decline in volunteer applications. Leal explained that the disruptions caused by the pandemic have led to a noticeable drop in available community members: “A third of our matches are continuing mentors who love it, yet we face challenges in attracting new volunteers.” Factors such as workplace culture shifts, economic strains, and the social isolation stemming from COVID-19 appear to affect community engagement.

How You Can Make a Difference

Currently, Seedling’s goal is to assist at least 250 children, but they are still approximately 100 mentors short for the academic year. There is even a waitlist of children in desperate need for a mentor. Volunteers are being called upon to step up and offer their support, with opportunities available across the Austin area, including school districts such as Austin ISD, Del Valle ISD, Hayes CISD, and Austin Achieve Public Schools.

Time Commitment and Training

Volunteering with Seedling doesn’t require extensive hours; mentors commit about 35 minutes a week, plus travel time to their assigned school. During this time, their role is to provide a listening ear and companionship, allowing children to feel valued and supported. Leal encourages potential volunteers to act swiftly, as the foundation seeks to have new mentors ready by the end of January, with an application deadline set for January 9. Mentors will receive training to effectively engage with the children they’ll be mentoring.

Join the Movement to Mentor

Becoming a mentor can be a profoundly rewarding experience, and your involvement can change lives. Each connection made has the potential to uplift a child facing immense challenges by providing them with guidance, support, and friendship. If you live in Austin or nearby, consider joining Seedling’s mission to nurture the potential of the future by visiting seedlingmentors.org for more information on how to become a mentor.

In conclusion, the children in our community deserve every chance to thrive. By stepping up as mentors, we can all take part in fostering a nurturing environment that helps mold the next generation into strong, resilient individuals.