Mentoring

Cray's Mentoring Programs partner with organizations, volunteers, and families in Lawrence County to Make Life Better for Kids- Here's how you can help.

Adults living or working in Lawrence County…

We need mentors! Whether you are interested in developing a one-on-one mentoring relationship with a young person or are interested in teaming up with our staff and other mentors in a group setting, we have an opportunity for you. Children in Cray Mentoring Program are living in single parent or non-traditional homes (foster care, living with relatives who are not their parents, etc.). Children in Compeer have a mental health diagnosis such as anxiety, depression, or ADHD. Both of these situations have been shown to be risk factors for truancy, involvement in the juvenile justice system, and relational challenges with both peers and adults. The affect that a relationship with one positive adult outside the family can have on a child has long been recognized as a way to keep kids moving in the right direction- no matter what barriers to success they and their families may be facing.

High school and Westminster college students who want to make a difference…

There are also mentoring opportunities for high school and college students looking to make a difference in the life of a child. High School mentors must be at least 15 years old, meet with staff for a screening process, and must be able to commit to meeting in a group setting three times a month during the school year. These meetings take place at Cray's Crossroads after school program, which is located in New Castle. Students from all districts in Lawrence County may participate.

Our newest program, kicking off in Fall 2026 is a partnership with Westminster College , allows children in both mentoring programs the opportunity to participate in campus activities alongside of Westminster students twice a month during the academic year. We are looking forward to growing this partnership and watching some of our children set foot on a college campus for the first time!

Spotlight on Mohawk Area School District…

Mohawk School District has partnered with us to offer Compeer programming in school during the Win Period twice a month. High School students meet in a group setting with junior high students and participate in relationship building and enrichment activities designed to help junior high students with the adjustment to high school. Activities are facilitated by our staff in conjunction with Mohawk School personnel. The program is entering it's third year, and is provided at no cost to the school district. If your Lawrence County school is interested in starting a similar program- please reach out to us to start the conversation.

Not in a position to mentor right now, but still want to help?

Financial Donations – Our mentoring programs don't charge a fee for service. While Compeer receives funding from Lawrence County Mental Health and Disability Services, our other mentoring program does not receive any public funding. This programming, for children living with a single parent, with relatives, or in foster care, relies exclusively on grants and donations. All donations to Cray are tax deductible and stay in Lawrence County.

In-Kind Donations – Snacks. School Supplies. Clothing. Hygiene items. Holiday gifts. Craft supplies. Recreation space or equipment. All of these in-kind donations lower our expenses.

Bowl! – Every year in the spring, we host Bowl-A-Thon! This is our largest Annual fundraiser and raises 15-20% of our budget each year.

Become an Advisory Board Member – Join our mentoring advisory board to help us grow! Advisory board members assist with volunteer recruitment, fundraising, and program development.

For more information on how to enroll your child or become a mentor, call, email, or fill out the form below.

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