How We Work To Remove Barriers of Education – Volume 3, Episode 2: College Mentors for Kids

In Indianapolis, Indiana, at-risk youth often face significant barriers to education, from limited access to positive role models to a lack of exposure to higher education opportunities. Without guidance, many young students struggle to see a world beyond their immediate surroundings, making it challenging to envision a future that includes education and fulfilling careers. College Mentors for Kids is working to bridge this gap by pairing first-through-eighth-grade students with college mentors who help open doors to new possibilities.

College Mentors for Kids is a unique organization that transforms the lives of both children and college students through structured mentorship. The program pairs young students, known as “Little Buddies,” with college student mentors who offer support and guidance while providing firsthand exposure to college life. Through weekly on-campus activities, these Little Buddies learn the value of education, self-reliance, and making positive choices. College Mentors for Kids operates across 31 chapters in the U.S., currently serving over 1,500 children each year, thanks to the dedication of 2,000 college student volunteers who contribute more than 90,000 hours of mentoring annually.

What makes College Mentors for Kids particularly impactful is its unique model: each collegiate chapter is entirely student-run, and all mentoring sessions take place on university campuses. This approach gives at-risk youth direct exposure to the college environment while empowering student volunteers to take ownership of the program’s success. The experience has a dual impact, transforming not only the lives of at-risk youth but also those of the college students who gain invaluable leadership and service experience through mentoring.

In 2012 and 2013, the Circle of Sisterhood awarded grants totaling $7,000 to College Mentors for Kids, supporting mentor/little buddy pairs for an entire academic year. These grants made it possible for at-risk youth—many of them girls—to experience life-changing mentorship. During weekly mentoring sessions, these young students were introduced to new ideas and encouraged to dream bigger, pursue education, and gain confidence in their abilities. Data shows that 77% of children in the program report trying harder in school as a direct result of their mentorship experience. By supporting these mentor relationships, the Circle of Sisterhood has ensured that youth have access to positive role models, inspiration to pursue higher education, and the practical tools they need for future success.

College Mentors for Kids continues to build bridges to brighter futures, one mentor-little buddy pair at a time. Thanks to the support of organizations like the Circle of Sisterhood, at-risk youth are given the resources and encouragement to dream big and aim high, reshaping the course of their lives and communities for generations to come.