Back-to-School 2025: Community-Based Mentoring Program seeking volunteers

     Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) Community-Based Mentoring Program is looking for 200 community volunteers to mentor students for the 2025-26 school year.

     Now in its 16th year, the program supports students in grades 4-12. GCPS Director of Community-Based Mentoring James Rayford and his team have connected with businesses, community leaders, and organizations to recruit and train mentors and obtain financial resources that served more than 2,550 students last year.

     “Last year was probably one of the best years in our program. We recorded our highest number of schools served, provided mentoring support in all 20 clusters, all high schools, and all middle schools,” says Rayford. “The program also boasts a 100% graduation rate for two consecutive years and distributed $9,000 in scholarships to students to continue their postsecondary education. This year, the program plans to expand its enrichment activities by providing job-shadowing and internship opportunities for students.”

     Built on the belief in the Power of One, that one caring adult can impact a child’s life, the program builds community connections and fosters a sense of belonging, one relationship at a time.

     “Our goal is to invest in more students to ensure all who need support receive it in the form of an adult mentor,” Rayford adds. Volunteer mentors can choose to participate in 1:1 or small-group mentoring. Mentoring provides enhanced communication skills, confidence, problem-solving, increased motivation and accountability, professional networking opportunities, and college and career preparation.