What is Youth Success Mentoring?

The Empower Youth Network’s Youth Success Mentoring (YSM) program pairs adults with children from elementary age through the high school years. Volunteers work one-on-one with a child, up to one hour per week, in the Snoqualmie Valley and Riverview School Districts. Our program is continually growing, and we are adding more schools as well as more mentors.

Become a YSM Mentor!

Give a child confidence, inspire positive choices, and build hope for a better future for our youth here at home.

18 & Under

Job Description

Over 18

Job Description

Apply Now

Did You Know?

Youth Who Have a Mentor:

*Compared with peers who do not have a mentor
Source: mentoring.org

As a young person, having a person who you feel comfortable talking to is extremely important and can help youth navigate challenges in their life.”

read Charlotte’s Story >

Charlotte Locke

Youth Success Mentor

Mentoring is one hour a week, it is the least anyone can do to support a young person and hopefully give them a strong foundation to grow from.”

read Denver’s Story >

Denver McKelheer

Youth Success Mentor

In most cases, you are helping a mentee by simply spending time with them and listening.”

read Mike’s Story >

Mike Pusich

Youth Sucess Mentor Past EYN Board Treasurer

The world is fast paced…to sit and talk, play a game and be silly together can change the course of a child’s day.”

read Krista’s story >

Krista Tappan

Youth Success Mentor

I asked a lot of questions about how he sees the world around him, and how he might want to engage with others as an adult.”

read Dave’s story >

Dave Spurling

Youth Success Mentor

I believe that earlier exposure to positive examples in their lives will boost their abilities to make better choices as they reach adolescence.”

Read Micki’s Story >

Micki Harrison

Youth Success Mentor

PROGRAM LEADERSHIP

UPCOMING FREE EVENTS

Kathy Hyland

Youth Success Mentoring Coordinator

Read Bio

Heather Downing

Youth Success Mentoring Program Manager

Read Bio

The first Mentor Meet Up this month will be on Wednesday, November 19 from 9:30 – 11 a.m. at Rustic Cabin in Duvall
The second Mentor Meet Up this month will be on Thursday, November 20 from 3:30 – 5 p.m. at South Fork in North Bend.
No Host events (food and beverages available for purchase)

UPCOMING FREE EVENTS

Kathy Hyland

Youth Success Mentoring Coordinator

Kathy Hyland is the Youth Success Mentoring Coordinator.  Kathy has her BA from the University of Washington in Early Childhood and Family Services.  She brings 21 years of experience working with children, their school employee families, the community and DCYF officials through her home daycare and preschool.  Over the years, Kathy has volunteered for youth sports organizations coordinating volunteers and creating new programs.  Kathy, and her family of four, have lived in the Upper Valley for 26 years.  Her husband is a teacher and her two sons are grown and exploring life as adults.  When not busy with work and her family, Kathy loves to create art out of old wood and enjoys working in her garden.

kathy@empoweryouthnetwork.org

Heather Downing

Youth Success Mentoring Program Manager

Heather Downing is the Youth Success Mentoring Program Manager, a program of the Empower Youth Network. She has worked in non-profit management over 4 years, volunteer management over 8 years and with schools over 11 years. Heather brings with her a wealth of people skills, organization and compassion.

She successfully led two district levy campaigns for Riverview School District. Heather is a supporter and active leader working with community youth groups that include 4H and United States Pony Club. Heather held a board position during Duvall Co-Op preschool’s first year.

Heather earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Washington State University and lives in Duvall with her husband and 3 kids.

heather@empoweryouthnetwork.org

PROGRAM PARTNERS

Students are recommended and matched with a mentor at the following schools. Contact your school to inquire about how a student in your life could benefit from receiving services from the YSM program.