Volunteer Mentors



A mentor is a caring adult who provide extra support and encouragement, a helping hand or a listening ear. They are someone who can challenge a youth to be their best selves, and who believes in them as they work to achieve their goals. A mentor helps by being available.

So many of the young adults served by Covenant House Alaska have not experienced adults who are reliable or who genuinely care about their progress. Being a mentor is a highly rewarding endeavor. You’ll provide guidance and serve as a positive role model, working on-on-one with youth making the journey to self-sufficiency and independence. Mentors work with young adults ages 17-24 in one of our transitional living programs.




For more information contact our Volunteer manager, Holly Payne: 907-339-4261 or volunteer@covenanthouseak.org.





Mentor Requirements


  • At least 28 years of age
  • Able to pass a background check
  • Willing to make a 2 year commitment
  • Able to dedicate time at least twice/month in person, and communicate weekly
  • Able to attend monthly mentor activities
  • Understand the critical importance of consistency and availability
  • Desires to work with youth to develop independent living skills

Steps to Become a Mentor


  1. Application: Submit electronic application here.
  2. Interview: Schedule interview with staff to discuss background, interests, expectations, and the role.
  3. Reference & Background Checks: We'll contact your 3 listed references and you'll complete a State of Alaska fingerprint background check and Covenant House International background check.
  4. Orientation & Training: You will participate in online orientation modules (3-4 hours in total) a live, mentor-specific, orientation (2 hours), and an annual online child protection training (2 hours) to understand policies and procedures  and how to best serve this population.
  5. Transportation Paperwork: If you'd like to provide transportation to young people as a mentor, we'll collect documentation for approval. Providing transportation is not a requirement of the program.
  6. Matching: Once the above steps are complete, mentors are introduced to youth. It may take some time for an official match to develop; however mentors are expected to participate in activities to get to know people. It's important to be patient in the matching process, as we want each match to be successful.

What About Bob? March 27, 2024 - Retired Scientist Brings Compassion and Creativity to Covey Youth Bob Winfree first came to Covenant House several months ago to offer a landscape painting workshop for our youth, but soon signed up to volunteer each week in our art room. He is a retired National Parks scientist and research manager who settled in Alaska about twenty years ago with his… Continue Reading