Douglas County Partners provides services to at-risk youth, ages 8-17, primarily through matching them with adult volunteers in mentoring relationships.

 

Youth reside in Douglas County, and are deemed at-risk by the youth service agencies that refer them to our organization. 

Our Partnerships (mentor and mentee matches) spend an average of 3 hours per week together for at least a year. Mentoring at Douglas County Partners is community-based and one-on-one.

To date Partners has served over 16,000 youth. Services provided to these youth and volunteers include: ongoing case management; educational/recreational activities; training for youth, parents and volunteers; gang intervention/prevention services; and community service projects.

Kids change significantly after one year in a Partnership:

  • Less self-reported delinquency

  • Increased bonding with an adult other than a family member

  • Increased self-esteem and self efficacy

  • Increased commitment to not use alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs

 
Statistics for July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010
  • 584 youth served
  • 93 cents of every dollar spent went directly to the youth programs
  • Forty-two consecutive years of service
  • 42 new matches between adult volunteer mentors and youth
  • 1st year Partnerships spent an average of 3.7 hours together per week
  • 22 recreational activities were conducted for Partnerships (museum visits, camping, bowling, ice skating, hiking, Alumni dinners, board games, arts & crafts)