Programs > eMentors> Volunteers

General Information

eMentors gives volunteers the chance to act as a friend and role model for a student from an area high school in an easy and convenient way. eMentors volunteers helps students increase academic motivation and provides pathways to career awareness.

How it Works

• BestPrep works with an eMentors Company Coordinator to connect companies with an area school to form an email mentoring partnership.


• Volunteers are matched with a student and the pair exchanges weekly emails based on a series of Guiding Question prompts that can be tailored to meet various curriculums.


• Volunteers commit to sending to one email per week and respond to student emails within two business days.


• e-Mentors and students meet face-to-face at a structured, school-sponsored event preferably at the place of business.


• BestPrep staff provides the connection between the employer and teacher, leadership and support for the project, and can lend their expertise when needed.

An eMentor Company Coordinator is an employee who has agreed to collaborate with a BestPrep and a local school to implement eMentors within their company. Employers, school personnel or members of the community may initiate local partnerships. A Company Coordinator is responsible for recruiting employee volunteers to serve as eMentors to students, exchanging e-mails on a weekly basis and help plan the face-to-face meeting between mentors and students. Participating in the program demonstrates a commitment to the community and the education of its youth. Volunteer as a Company Coordinator and connect your company with students from an area school!

Goals of the Program

• Students will understand the relationship between learning and their future career opportunities.


• Students will learn the role that business, workplace and career skills play in their success in both school and the workplace.


• Students will connect with a business volunteer via professional email communication.

Benefits to the Volunteer and Employer

• Increased morale by the volunteers who make a difference in a student’s life


• Easy and convenient way to volunteer without leaving the office


• Improved image in the community as a company who cares


• Increased awareness of the variables affecting the education of our youth and future workforce


• Improve and enhance volunteers’ knowledge base while explaining concepts to teens

Bonnie Vagasky, eMentors Program Manager
763-398-0090 ext. 227
bvagasky@bestprep.org

Jenny Muñoz, eMentors Program Associate
763-398-0090 ext. 228
jmunoz@bestprep.org

Rachel Schwalbach, eMentors Program Associate
763-398-0090 ext. 235
rschwalbach@bestprep.org