Preparing a supported program.
The program is being prepared for young people ages 10–17. Youth enrollment, screening, matching activation, direct messaging and payments are not enabled. Mentor interest will use the verified destination shown on the mentor page when available.
Private headshots
Mentors and mentees will need a recent headshot; a phone selfie is acceptable. Photos are for private review and approved introductions, never a public youth directory or biometric identification. Guardian permission for minors must be verified, and youth uploads remain paused. Photo collection is not part of an initial expression of interest.
An in-person first meeting
The first meeting is always in person at a staff-approved public or partner location, with staff supervision and guardian involvement appropriate to the young person’s age and needs. After that first meeting, choose virtual calls or in-person meetings by agreement with staff, participants and a guardian where required. No home visits, private-workplace visits, rides or unapproved meetings.
Age-appropriate routes
Mentors must be 18+. The planned youth program is for ages 10–17. For children under 13, a parent or legal guardian must begin the process before child details are collected. Guardian permission and youth assent must be established before participation.
Permission that is verified
Real guardian intake is not connected. Future guardian contact and permission records must stay separate from matching preferences. A checkbox is not verification; trained staff must verify authority and permission before participation.
Screening with accountability
Background screening is not connected. A real provider workflow, interview, references, training and trained staff review must be established. A report alone never guarantees safety.
Privacy by design
No public minor directory. Contact, consent and screening records are separated. Any future private profiles need verified access controls and a clear retention policy. No SSNs, identity documents or raw background reports belong in this application database.
Human-reviewed matching
Suggestions use interests, goals, skills, availability, languages and meeting format. Sensitive personal traits or histories are not scored. People choose whether a proposed match works for them.
Supported communication
Adult–minor direct messaging is disabled. Staff-coordinated introductions, supervision, reporting and escalation procedures must be tested before any participation.
What must happen before participation?
- Name the safeguarding lead and confirm staff roles and access.
- Review age-appropriate privacy notices, data retention and deletion procedures.
- Establish independently verified guardian permission and youth assent.
- Connect a reviewed screening provider and complete mentor review procedures.
- Verify reporting, response, supervision and participant acceptance workflows.
- Approve private photo handling and deletion, staff-supervised first meetings and later session procedures.
- Complete security, accessibility, mobile and real-device testing before opening intake.
This preview is not a staffed support or incident-reporting channel. If something makes you feel unsafe, speak with a trusted adult or an appropriate local support service. For immediate danger, contact local emergency services.
Program design reference: MENTOR’s Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring . These are proposed operating safeguards, not a claim of certification or legal compliance.