The Lewis County Youth Mentorship Program, along with other community partners, will be hosting a “Back to School” supply drive next month at Centralia College, according to an email from Youth Mentorship Program Coordinator Lisa Leon.
Those interested in donating school supplies can do so between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Aug. 10 at the side of the TransAlta Commons, located at 615 W. Pear St.
All are welcome to donate. In addition to school supplies, kids can get a free haircut to prepare for the new school year.
More than 20 vendors are expected to be on hand.
For those who can’t make it to the college to donate, school supply donations are also being accepted at the following locations:
• Lewis County Juvenile Court, 1255 SW Pacific Ave. in Chehalis.
• Chehalis City Hall, 350 N. Market Blvd. in Chehalis.
• Thorbeckes Wellness Center, 91 SW Chehalis Ave. in Chehalis.
• Thorbeckes Wellness Center, 2020 Borst Ave. in Centralia.
• The Station powered by Lewis County Coffee, 120 S. Tower Ave. in Centralia.
• The Juice Box Public House, 216 S. Tower Ave. in Centralia.
• Dick’s Brewing Company, 3516 Galvin Road in Centralia.
• Main Street Storage, 201 E. Main St. in Centralia.
The Lewis County Youth Mentorship Program aims to provide at-risk youth with opportunities to learn new skills, improve youth mental health, develop positive social behavior and receive positive adult support while reducing substance abuse and school absenteeism.
Lewis County commissioners have earmarked $500,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds to support the mentorship program through 2026, according to a news release from the county. So far, 14 mentors are involved and have been matched with 20 local youths.
Volunteers to mentor kids are still needed. To mentor, one must spend at least one hour a week with a youth — about five hours a month — for a year.
“We have had over 30 applications come in from self-referrals, schools, parents and mental health professionals,” Leon said. “It takes a community to raise healthy, resilient youth and we need the community’s support to help our youth succeed.”
Mentors must pass a background check, undergo an interview and complete a minimum of six training sessions on top of participating in ongoing monthly training sessions after completing the initial six.
Once fully trained, mentors will be paired one-on-one with a youth selected by the program. Mentors are not allowed to meet with the youths in private or secluded areas, only in public locations.
The mentorship program takes group trips, including hiking and kayaking expeditions and trips to the Seattle Seahawks training camp, Seattle Mariners games, local museums and zoos. Occasionally, mentorship meet-ups will happen just to take a trip to get ice cream or coffee.
“Research has shown that youth who have a mentor are less likely to skip school, abuse drugs or alcohol or participate in delinquent behaviors,” Leon said. “Having a caring mentor improves mental health, self-esteem, social skills and behaviors.”
Anyone interested in mentoring for the Lewis County Youth Mentorship Program can email Leon at Lisa.Leon@lewiscountywa.gov or call 360-520-3711 for information on how to apply.
For more information on the Lewis County Youth Mentorship Program, visit https://lewiscountywa.gov/departments/mentorship-program/.
