In 2000, a group of concerned parents, teachers and community members came together to explore ways to support students who were recognized as “falling through the cracks,” at McNear Elementary School in Petaluma, California. Students who, for various reasons, were struggling academically, and/or socially. Supporting these youth was all the more challenging when the California Department of Education cut funding for elementary school counseling services, leaving a lack of support and guidance for many students whose life circumstances made them particularly vulnerable to failure.

In 2001, the McNear Mentoring Program was started. Carefully selected adult mentors supported three mentees that year. Additional Petaluma schools were added to the mentor program, and in 2004 the program’s name was changed to Mentor Me Petaluma. In 2014, the name was changed to Mentor Me to support youth beyond Petaluma.

In 2014, Mentor Me took over management of the Cavanagh Recreation Center, a 12,000 square foot community center owned by the City of Petaluma. After over $300,000 in renovations, the facility, which was built in 1959, has emerged as the go-to place for our mentees and their mentors, offering opportunities for educational enrichment (cooking classes, art/music programs, sports), for academic tutoring services and career exploration, and to receive college admissions coaching. In addition, the Center serves as the Mentor Me administrative offices and provides income for the organization by renting spaces within the facility for all kinds of events. The Mentor Me Cavanagh Recreation Center is located at 426 8th Street in Petaluma. We welcome the public to come in for a tour.

On February 1, 2020, Mentor Me became a program of Petaluma People Services Center (PPSC). PPSC was incorporated on December 2, 1976 and is a 501(c)3 private nonprofit organization. PPSC is dedicated to improving the social and economic health of our community by providing programs that strengthen the dignity and self-sufficiency of the individual.

As a Program of PPSC, Mentor Me’s mission is to empower youth to reach their highest potential by providing them with a caring, adult mentor and we envision a world where EVERY child has a mentor.

Mentoring, at its core, guarantees young people that there is someone who cares about them, assures them they are not alone in dealing with day-to-day challenges, and makes them feel like they matter. Research confirms that quality mentoring relationships have powerful positive effects on young people in a variety of personal, academic, and professional situations. Ultimately, mentoring connects a young person to personal growth and development, and social and economic opportunity. As a result, the community becomes more cohesive with these cross-generational and often cross-cultural mentoring relationships. Yet one in three young people will grow up without this critical asset.

The majority of funding comes from individual donations and businesses, corporate and foundation grants, and contributions from schools we serve. Businesses and individuals also give in-kind donations of goods and services.

Mentor Me Cavanagh Recreation Center rentals also help fund youth programs. Learn more about rentals here.

Would you like to support mentorship in our community, but cannot commit to volunteering? Consider donating here!

PPSC Mentor Me values being in relationship with our young people. Mentoring, at its core, guarantees young people that there is someone who cares about them. We ask volunteer mentors to commit to meeting their mentee once a week for an hour. Interested volunteers must complete an application, submit 3 references, attend the New Mentor Training, and pass a background check.

Mentoring Requirements:
*18+ years old
*Willing to commit to a 2 year mentorship
*Be invested in uplifting a young person (K-12)

Sign up to be a mentor today!

Believe it or not, 90% of the mentor role is showing up for your mentee! Once a week for an hour you will spend time with your mentee. Mentorships engage in a variety of activities, including talking, playing board games, art, going for a walk, making a snack, and more! These one hour get-togethers take place at the mentee’s school or at our Mentor Me Cavanagh Recreation Center.

In 2014, Mentor Me took over management of this 12,000 square foot community center owned by the City of Petaluma. This space is now known as the Mentor Me Cavanagh Recreation Center (MMCRC) and is a place where mentorships can meet. Throughout the year, we offer different enrichment opportunities, including cooking classes, art/music programs, academic support, career exploration, and more!

YOU can support Mentor Me by signing up to become a mentor, making a financial donation or volunteering to assist in our office. Feel free to contact us at 707-765-8488 ext 108 or mentorme@petalumapeople.org for more information! Thank you!

Please contact mentorme@petalumapeople.org or call 707-765-8488 ext 108 to learn more about brining mentorship to your school!