What Do Our Junior Partners Say?

"Partners is a lot of fun, you get really close (to your Senior Partner) and kinda feel like they are your real brother or sister."

"Once in a while when I have a fight with a friend; I ask my Senior Partner for advice"

"Partners has a talent for putting people together and making good partnerships"

"We just have fun!"

Why Should My Child be in Partners?

Partners is neither a program for bad kids, nor is Partners in any way a replacement parent. A Partner is an adult friend for your child to spend quality time with. Research has shown that providing youth with a caring adult increases the youth's self-esteem, family relationships, grades and prevents initiation of drug and alcohol use. By providing continual friendship and guidance, a mentor can show that someone outside of the family is interested in their well-being and success in life. Partners is voluntary and in order to participate, not only must the youth be willing but so must the parent(s)/guardian(s).

Download the Guidelines for Parents (doc)

Why was My Child Referred to Partners?

Although Partners would be an asset to any and every child, unfortunately we only have a limited number of volunteer mentors. Therefore, we have to limit the number of youth we can serve. Partners receives referrals of youth from local organizations that are already working with your children. Partners focuses on youth who could use some extra help in school, making friends, or children who just need a little extra attention.

How About...

• Snowmobiling
• Arts and crafts
• Swimming
• Making new friends
• Bowling
• Eating out
• Watching movies
• Talking on the phone
• Hiking and camping
• Working on school projects
• Skiing or snowboarding
• Fishing
• Cooking
• Talking and laughing
• Playing with animals
• Time downtown
• Playing games
• Listening to music
• Learning a new sport or hobby
• Summer Life Skills Camp in Winter Park (for 12-16 year olds)

A Perfect Match

Sometimes it takes a while, sometimes it doesn't.

Our Case Manager is skilled in the art of "match-making". Potential Partners are not introduced to each other unless the Case Manager is confident that the pair complements each other well in interests and personality. Please note that the Case Manager has an extensive conversation with both the Junior Partner and Parent/guardian about the most ideal Senior Partner profile. Also, boys can be matched with a male or female Senior Partner while a girl may only be matched with a female.

A Junior Partner may be introduced to a Senior Partner soon after joining Partners, or it may take several months. If a child ends up waiting for a while, it does not mean that that child is difficult or odd or anything else - it just means that we would rather wait and get it right the first time. Also, boys often wait longer than girls because we are usually experiencing a shortage of male volunteer Senior Partners. It is harder for Partners to find volunteers, either male or female in the more rural communities in South Routt County and Hayden.

Have you heard about our exemplary high school Senior Partners?

Some youth would rather be matched with someone closer in age. In order for a Junior Partner to be matched with a high school student, he or she must be 7-11 years old.