Volunteer Mentoring Opportunities

Be the steady presence teens need

Youthfront Pathways connects caring adults with teens navigating difficult life circumstances, offering mentoring relationships that reflect the love and presence of Christ. Through Arise, mentors gather weekly in juvenile detention and residential centers across Kansas City, creating spaces of Scripture, conversation, games, and prayer where teens can experience Christian community even in hard places. Teen Parent Connect walks alongside pregnant and parenting teens (ages nineteen and under), providing community, spiritual care, and practical support such as meals, diapers, transportation, and Bible study. Whether serving in detention centers or with young parents, mentors bring consistency, prayerful presence, and tangible help in curating redemptive spaces where teens can encounter God’s love. Every mentor serves with a team and a Site Leader, and staff provide training, resources, and ongoing coaching so no one serves alone.

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mentors for incarcerated youth

Weekly small-group gatherings take place inside juvenile detention and residential centers across Kansas City. We read Scripture, hold honest conversations, offer chapel and prayer, play simple games, and practice Christian community so teens experience the love of Jesus in a hard place.

active facilities across KC metro​
5
youth per year encounter caring mentors
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Serve Weekly

Serve once each week for 60-120 minutes with a small mentor team and a Site Leader. Your steady presence is the most important gift you bring, and we will provide a simple plan for each gathering.

Scripture & Conversation

We will open a short passage of Scripture, ask open-ended questions, and invite teens to share their thoughts or experiences. We keep the conversation respectful and real, always pointing to the hope of Jesus without pressure.

Play & Community

Help create a warm, safe room through low-key activities such as cards, board games, or basketball when available. Laughter and belonging are part of discipleship, so we celebrate small steps and encourage positive peer relationships.

Prayer

We will invite prayer requests and pray with dignity when the youth welcome it. Our focus is on honesty, thanksgiving, and hope, while respecting each person's comfort level. We allow the youth to set the pace for spiritual practices.

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Where we serve

Arise mentors serve weekly in five juvenile detention and residential centers across the Kansas City metro. Schedules run by trimester (January–May, June–August, September–December) and may shift slightly by site; your Site Leader will confirm your weekly time

Wyandotte County Juvenile Detention Center

Kansas City, Kansas

Weekly small-group gatherings with Scripture, conversation, and prayer.

Johnson County Juvenile Detention Center

Olathe, Kansas

Weekly mentor teams create a steady, welcoming environment.

Jackson County Juvenile Detention Center

Kansas City, Missouri

Youth-group style evenings with games, chapel, and discussion.

Hilltop Residential Youth Center

Lee's Summit, Missouri

Residential setting; mentors support chapel services and team-building.

Northwest Regional Youth Center

North KC, Missouri

Newer site, mentors often reconnect with youth transitioning from Jackson County JDC.
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walking with young moms & dads

Teen Parent Connect surrounds pregnant and parenting teens (ages nineteen and under) with community, mentoring, and practical help. We meet primarily in Kansas City, Kansas, with regular outings across the metro. Teens receive meals, diapers, transportation support when approved, and spiritual care through Bible study and prayer. We welcome both mothers and fathers, and their children are part of the gathering.

 

core gatherings each month
3
teen parents each month (and growing!)
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Serve Together

Serve for 90-120 minutes within our regular monthly rhythm: Teen Parent Connect Night on the first Thursday, Bible Study two evenings each month, and a Community Outing on the third Saturday. You will welcome families, share a meal, and offer consistent presence.

Mentoring & Check-ins

Some mentors choose to build an ongoing relationship with a teen parent through simple weekly check-ins by text or call, encouragement around small goals, and practical support such as rides or forms when you have received the proper approval from staff.

Care for Little Ones

If you serve on the childcare team, you will care for infants and toddlers during teaching and discussion. We maintain safe ratios, keep communication gentle and clear, and offer a short prayer of blessing at pickup so parents can fully participate.

Scripture & Prayer

We will share short, accessible reflections from the Bible and invite honest conversation. Prayer is offered with dignity and without pressure. Parents are always free to set the pace for spiritual practices, and we honor their comfort level as they take steps of faith.

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Tpc And Volunteer Family Cookout June 2024 At Carrol’s House.

FAQs

We use a trimester model. You commit for one term at a time and may continue in the next term if you wish. Arise volunteers serve weekly, and Teen Parent Connect volunteers typically serve one to three times per month. If you need to miss a week, simply let your Site Leader know so your team is covered. If you need to step back mid-term, we will work with you and help you rejoin when you are ready.

You do not need prior experience in detention settings or in parenting programs. We provide training, coaching, and a clear plan for every gathering.

Yes—you must be 22 or older to serve as a mentor in both Arise and Teen Parent Connect. This minimum aligns with requirements from our juvenile court partners (for Arise) and we apply the same standard in TPC for consistency and safety. If you’re under 22 and want to help, contact our team about non-mentoring support.

Follow all Youthfront and facility guidelines. For Arise, personal devices, gifts, and contact outside of approved channels are not permitted. For Teen Parent Connect, photographs and stories are only shared with staff-managed consent. If you have any concern about a student’s safety, tell your leader immediately.

Onboarding usually takes a few weeks, depending on background screening, references, a short online training, and a single in-person training (plus facility clearance for Arise or a driving check for TPC if applicable). After you are cleared, Arise mentors serve once each week for about 60–120 minutes within our trimester schedule. Teen Parent Connect mentors serve 1–3 times per month for about 90–120 minutes, with a brief weekly check-in by text or call.

Listen first, share briefly about Jesus with respect, and pray if they welcome it. Then let your leader know so we can arrange appropriate pastoral follow-up, including possible church connections and, when appropriate, baptism conversations with local church partners.

We prioritize steady, prayerful presence over performance. Our aim is to create redemptive spaces where youth and young families are known by name, treated with dignity, and invited to encounter the living God through Christian community.

Yes. Please note this on your application, and we will do our best to place you together where it fits the needs of the program.

Yes! We always need people to volunteer to help with childcare and meals for our Bible Studies and Teen Parent Connect Nights. This is a great way to get involved as a family or with your small group. Find out about one-time serving opportunities.

Club Arise is the emerging aftercare program for teens who are leaving detention or a residential treatment center. Teens are matched with mentors and invited to ministry programs while on probation and beyond.

A staff member will email a time to connect virtually or in person so you can learn more about us and we can learn about you.

Ready to take your first step towards becoming a Pathways mentor?

Fill out our interest form below and a member of our team
will follow up with you!

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Other great ways to get involved

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Prayer Team

Prayer is a powerful way to support our ministry. Join our team!

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One-Time Opportunities

Volunteer at events, provide meals, childcare, etc.

Still have questions about our programs?

Reach out to us.

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