Getting accepted as an AFK mentor is a painstaking process involved with multiple stages of screenings and background checks. New AFK mentors are usually referred by existing members of the organization, after which they are made to undergo a meticulous and thorough screening process before getting accepted. After selection, the organization affords new mentors with training programs where they receive tutoring and support from AFK’s Mentorship Coordinator. The athletes who participate in AFK come from various sports backgrounds, including football, basketball, baseball, and soccer. These athletes are not only successful on the field but also serve as positive role models in their communities. They are trained by AFK staff to mentor children by building relationships, providing guidance and support, and offering encouragement.
Athletes For Kids Youth Mentoring (AFK) is a non-profit organization founded in 2002. The organization’s mission is to provide mentorship to children who are facing adversity by pairing them with local high school athletes who serve as positive role models. AFK is focused on helping children with disabilities through sports by pairing them with high school athletes who provide much-needed guidance and companionship. This strategy not only helps improve the lives of the children (mentees), who are also referred to as “buddy,” but through mutual learning, it also has positive impacts on the mentors and gives them a chance to be a positive influence in the life of someone else.
Through a series of meticulous processes, AFK chooses children
between grades 1-12 and partners them with qualified high school athletes for the mentorship program, which typically lasts from one to three years.
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