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Administration
705 East 41st Street, Suite 200
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
Phone: 1-800-568-2401
Phone: 605-444-7500
info@lsssd.org

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Youth Empowerment

Mentoring

Building Relationships
That Matter

Our Youth Mentoring Services are designed to empower children and teens (K-12) by connecting them with mentors who offer support, encouragement, and guidance. 

As a mentor, you can help build self-esteem, encourage positive choices, identify and work toward goals, lend new perspectives, or simply be a friend to a young person who needs someone in their corner—all in as little as one hour per week.
 

Our Mentoring Programs

  • IN-SCHOOL
    IN-SCHOOL

    In school mentoring for youth in grades Pre-K to 12

  • HIGH SCHOOL
    HIGH SCHOOL

    Mentoring in and out of school for youth in grades 9-12

  • COMMUNITY
    COMMUNITY

    Mentoring in the community for youth aged 7-14

In School Mentoring

In School mentors spend one hour per week with an elementary or middle school student at their school. Matches can choose how they spend their time, from playing basketball to reading or simply having lunch together.

We’re proud to partner with school districts across the region to bring in-school mentoring to students who can benefit from extra support and encouragement. Currently, we work with districts in Sioux Falls, Baltic, Brandon Valley, Canton, Dell Rapids, Aberdeen, Flandreau, Garretson, Harrisburg, Lennox, Tea Area, Tri-Valley, and West Central.
 

  • If you’d like to explore bringing our mentoring program to your school district, we’d love to hear from you! Give us a call at 605-444-7803.

  • School counselors can make a referral for a child to sign up for an in-school mentor.

High School Mentoring

High school mentors spend four hours each month with their mentees—either during or outside of school—helping them set meaningful goals, succeed at school, and explore career opportunities.

We’re proud to partner with school districts in Lincoln and Minnehaha counties to bring mentoring to high school students who can benefit from extra support and encouragement.
 

  • If you’d like to explore bringing our mentoring program to your school district, we’d love to hear from you!
    Give us a call at 605-444-7803.

  • To make a referral or sign your child up for High School Mentoring, please complete this form.

Community Mentoring

Community mentors spend four hours each month with a young person aged 7-14 in their community. Matches select activities together, and we support them by offering discounts for food and activities, as well as organizing monthly events.

Children in Lincoln and Minnehaha counties can be matched with a caring mentor who spends quality time with them outside of the school day, providing support, encouragement, and fun experiences. 
 

  • To sign your child up for Community Mentoring, please complete this form.

Hear from the Mentees

Watch their Videos

“I think it’s helpful for any young person to have that new experience where maybe they’re not so good at something, but they figure it out. There’s a real sense of accomplishment to that. You have those little moments of conversation during or right after the activity where you can better understand where they’re at. You never know what the impact is going to be.”

Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota
Administration
705 East 41st Street, Suite 200
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
Phone: 1-800-568-2401
Phone: 605-444-7500
info@lsssd.org
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