I would like to be a mentor, but am worried I cant be there for every bi-weekly scheduled event?

No problem, if you are confident you can be there for 75% of the events we're happy to take you on as a mentor. uFLOW has a pool of substitute mentors that we can ask to substitute and work with your student while you are away. Also, for the weeks you are away you can arrange to meet separately with your student at a time that works for both of you.

I want to work with the students, but don't have much time and don't want to let a student down by not fully commited. I'd like to help where I can though.

We would prefer for you to commit as a full time mentor since the more mentors we have the more students we can take on.  We believe that the experience for a person to mentor a student is as often as valuable for the mentor as the student. However, we also understand that not everyone is capable of being present at most events. These people can become a substitute mentor.  When a regular mentor cannot make an event, a substitute mentor replaces him or her for that event. Our substitute mentors play a key role in the uFLOW operation.

How much time will it take to mentor a student?

We estimate that mentoring a student will require 6 hours a month for about 6 months.

What project will I be working on with my student?

It could be anything that will contribute to improving the student's community in some way. The student chooses the project.

What does the money I contribute go towards?

uFLOW is an entirely volunteer driven organization. Thus our administrative expenses are minimal. Virtually your entire donation goes directly towards the students. We require funding to fund student projects, to serve as incentives for students to join uFLOW, for leadership books for the students, and for bi-weekly events for the students.  In general the program is designed to be a low cost program so that the program can expand quickly and so that more students can participate and benefit from uFLOW.

How do you know the program works?

The program produces results on a variety of levels. By simply observing the service projects it is clear that the program contributes to the community. On another level, the program benefits the students participating in uFLOW. Each cohort of students we blindly survey before and after the program to assure that uFLOW has an impact. This also allows us to continuously improve the program as well.

What are some of the benefits for the students?

- improved leadership skills
- increased commitment to community service
- new support group & friendships (team and network)
- increased self-esteem
- new entrepreneurial skills
- increased motivation, personal expectations & goals
- increased desire for college
- improved academic performance & job skills
- rewards act as useful resources for student & family
- fun & enjoyable, popular perks such as stipend $$$
- eligible to receive service hours required by school
- looks favorable on student's resume