Sponsor a Mentoring Relationship

Want to support our mentoring program, but short on time? Please consider sponsoring a mentoring relationship. Most YJI mentors are low- or no-income students who need help paying for fun activities to do with their mentees as they provide support and guidance in their lives. With your sponsorship you will directly impact the development of their relationship. Your support will allow the mentor to expand the mentee’s world by opening up the doors to new experiences and ideas that these youths are rarely exposed to, but which many of us take for granted.

Sponsors help cover the costs of:

Transportation for mentors/mentees to meet
Lunch
Ice cream/ coffee shops
Movies
Museums
Other activities like sailing, bowling, rock climbing

As a mentorship sponsor, you’ll get updates from your mentor and mentee about what they’ve been up to and how the relationship is impacting each of their lives. You’ll also be invited to meet the mentors and youth at our end-of-the-year celebration! Click here to become a sponsor or learn more about the program.

What does Sponsoring a Mentoring Relationship Entail?

Sponsoring a mentoring relationship means committing to financially support that relationship over the course of a year at a minimum of $25 per month.

When you sign up to be a sponsor, we’ll match you with a mentoring relationship and send you a package including information about the interests and goals of the mentor and mentee you are supporting. We’ll continue to send you updates every three months as they cover topics like goal setting, healthy relationships, cultural awareness, and job readiness. We’ll also invite you to meet the mentors and youth at our end-of-the-year celebration!

Suggested Donation Levels

$25/month minimum covers transportation (weekly travel for mentor & mentee on public transportation to parks, museums, community centers, or YJI offices; or for their mentor to visit them in detention/placement/home)
$40/month covers transportation and lunch
$60/month covers transportation, lunch, and a movie or museum
$80/month covers all of the above plus an activity like bowling or sailing
More than $80 will help support more than one mentorship!

How to Sign Up

Online donation form is coming soon. In the meantime, please contact Kaina at 510.238.0775 x303 or by kaina-deleteme[at]-deleteme-yjinstitute [dot] org if you are interested in becoming a sponsor.

Become a Community Sponsor for YJI's Mentoring Program (New!)

YJI is seeking Bay Area shops, museums, and other businesses to join our community sponsorship program. Becoming a community sponsor is a great way to give back to your community and support the positive development of young people.

What does becoming a community sponsor entail?
As a community sponsor, you pledge an ongoing, in-kind donation. YJI then offers these donations to our mentors when planning activities to do with their mentees. Examples include (but are not limited to):

Four ice cream cone passes/month
Two movie passes/month
Two museum passes/month
Two sailing lessons/year
Gift certificates for lunch or dinner for two

Why become a community sponsor?

Mentoring builds safety in your community. Studies of formal, one-on-one mentoring programs like YJI's reveal success in decreasing violent behavior, crime, and substance use, and increasing academic success, self-esteem, and knowledge of career opportunities for youth. citation
Mentors need your support. Most YJI mentors are low-income students who come from similar backgrounds as YJI youth and need help paying for fun activities to do with their mentees as they provide support and guidance in their lives.
Mentees need your support. Your support will expand mentees' worlds by opening up the doors to new experiences and ideas that these young people are rarely exposed to, but which many of us take for granted.

All community sponsors will receive a certificate of support from Youth Justice Institute and a shout out on our website. Donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.