By investing just an hour a week, you'll be part of St. Louis' most ambitious community-driven campaigns to help change lives one by one. UrbanFUTURE is looking for 300+ volunteer mentors and tutors to serve in St. Louis urban schools to support students and their families toward academic success and character development. Working with urban youth to close the achievement gap will change your life. See what some of our volunteers have to say about their experiences.

Volunteer Process:

1. Our volunteers work with students at least once a week (M-F) from 4:30-5:30 pm.  Those volunteers that would like to provide administrative or office assistance can do so regular business hours (M-F 8:00 am - 5:00 pm).  If you would like to be a part of our volunteer team, please follow the steps below:

Mentoring and tutoring take place at our schools in the Tower Grove neighborhood of St. Louis. To the left is a map displaying the location of our schools.

How You Can Volunteer

INSPIRE™ Program Purpose: To raise the level of opportunity for urban youth by enriching their middle school experience in two primary areas, Academics and Character. To find out more, attend one of our Information Sessions. Upon completion of an information session and application, the next step is to attend the first of three training sessions.

INSPIRE Team Approach: One on One INSPIRE implements a team model of mentoring that works together on behalf of the student. The INSPIRE Team includes the student's parent or guardian, a volunteer mentor and a teacher. The team focuses on literacy, goal setting and character development.

INSPIRE Mentors:

• are driven to make a difference in a student's life
• are committed to modeling strong character
• can connect well and relate to young people
• think of themselves as a catalyst for change
• are able to build a positive relationship with the parent
• see the "family unit" as primary
• have a minimum High School diploma or GED
• preferably have some experience working with teens

INSPIRE Mentor Commitment: Mentors commit for at least one academic year with the same student. Quarterly mentor events including on-going training, social events and debriefs, are offered to enhance your experience.

Weekly commitment (no more than 2 hours):

• 75 minutes each week at the school (includes one hour mentoring session and debrief)
• A weekly conversation with your student's parent(s)
• A mid-week phone discussion with your student

Each mentor and student selects a day during the week that is mutually convenient to meet.. Mentor sessions occur Monday - Thursday, 4:30-5:30 plus 15 minute debrief. (Alternate meeting times may be scheduled 2:30-3:30 or 3:30-4:30.)

IMPACT™ Tutoring is certified with the State of Missouri and offers students academic assistance in the four core subject areas of Communication Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies. Aligning with the school’s curriculum as well as the Show Me Standards, IMPACT seeks to compliment regular day instruction by working closely with the teachers to review weekly lesson plans to fully understand expectations and assignments. Tutoring is individualized by evaluating learning style and setting long term and daily goals.

IMPACT Program Purpose: To assist students at Fanning Middle School, in the four core areas: Communication Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies.

IMPACT Goal: For students to excel in their academic classes and improve literacy proficiency.

Weekly Commitment: Tutors work individually or in small groups with students on homework, academic skills and/or literacy. Select a minimum of one day a week from 4:30 to 5:30PM.