5% Day for Grand Area Mentoring

Grand Area Mentoring matches caring adults with promising children. Participants meet weekly to build strong relationships based on trust and shared activities like hiking, arts and crafts, and talking about life. Mentored youth earn higher grades, report being happier, and get along better with others.

During the 2023-2024 school year, Grand Area Mentoring provided 79 of the district’s highest risk youth with weekly one-on-one mentoring.

• 85% of mentored youth got in less trouble at school
• 100% of parents agree their children are happier
• 100% of teachers agree that mentoring supports vulnerable youth who exhibit antisocial behavior, have few friendships, demonstrate low commitment to school, earn poor grades, and/or live in a troubled home

Grand Area Mentoring is focused on supporting families and our community. Longer mentoring matches lead to better outcomes. Special events and trainings for mentors and mentees in the last year have included: an Arches National Park interpretive hike, an off-road tour, cookie making at the Youth Garden Project, mentor training with a career specialist, a Moab Golf Course outing, Moab Museum events, Sand Flats campfire and exploration, Raven’s Rim zip line tours, a Climb Moab Gym outing, and advanced mentor trainings such as Trauma-Informed Mentoring Part 1, 2, and 3, Facilitating Attuned Interactions Part 1 and 2, Sexual Abuse Awareness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Primer, and more.

Grand Area Mentoring will use the funds from the 5% Day for general operations. The program’s budget is lean, and its fundraising commitment represents only about 10% of expenses, which means 90% of funds facilitate direct service. Specifically, money raised during the 5% day will cover: the recruitment, screening, and training of mentors; training of students; ongoing support of matches and family outreach; evaluation and continuous improvement; community-based programming; and integration within our schools. Grant funds support staff, mentor curriculum needs, mentoring activity materials, event supplies, advanced trainer stipends, and communication with stakeholders.

Every second Tuesday of the month, Moonflower Co-op donates 5% of the day’s proceeds to an organization doing important work in our community. If you are interested in signing your organization up for a 5% Day, please fill out this form.