Our mission is to elevate the assets and potential in children through mentoring.

Our purpose is to create relational safety through mentorship. We want every young person to have a caring adult who consistently shows up, listens, and believes in them.

“Be A Mentor matches local students with caring adults who meet with them for one hour each week during the school year. We currently serve 21 schools across the Lowcountry.”

oung people need consistent relationships with adults who listen, encourage them, and help them recognize their strengths. Mentoring can support confidence, communication, school engagement, healthy decision-making, and future goals.

BAM serves hundreds of students, mentors, and families each year through 21 partner schools, an after-school mentoring location, group programs, family engagement, and career-readiness opportunities.

Mentors typically meet with their student for approximately one hour each week during the school year. That includes drive time because we try to place mentors at a school most convenient for them.

Most mentors meet with their mentees at school during lunch, recess, or another approved time. BAM also offers an after-school mentoring opportunity on Daniel Island.

Mentors talk, listen, play games, complete activities, help students identify their strengths, and encourage their goals. At some after-school locations, mentors may also help with homework. We are starting a career curriculum for high school students for pairs that opt into it.

Mentors may help with schoolwork when appropriate, but tutoring is not the primary focus. The most important part of mentoring is building a safe, consistent, and supportive relationship.

BAM does not require mentors to follow a script. We want relationships to develop naturally. BAM provides training, conversation starters, activity ideas, toolkits, and ongoing support.

No. Mentors do not need to be teachers or counselors. They need to be caring, dependable adults who are willing to listen, encourage, and consistently show up.

No. Mentors are supportive adults, but they are not expected to act as counselors or therapists. BAM trains mentors on appropriate boundaries and how to contact staff when a student needs additional support.

Mentors must be at least 21 years old, complete BAM’s application and orientation, and successfully pass the required screening and background check.

Mentors are asked to commit for at least one school year. We encourage mentors to continue with their mentees in future years whenever possible because long-term consistency can strengthen the relationship.

Occasional conflicts happen. Mentors should communicate with the school coordinator or BAM staff as early as possible. Consistency is important, so mentors should avoid frequent cancellations.

BAM considers the mentor’s location, schedule, interests, preferences, and school availability, as well as the student’s age, personality, interests, and needs. The school counseling team recommends the students for the progam and retrieves parent permission.

The timeline varies based on training, screening, school schedules, mentor availability, and the students currently waiting. BAM works to create a strong match rather than placing mentors solely based on speed. After the volunteer process is complete we ask schools to take no more than 2-3 weeks to make the right match.

Yes, each year.

• Mentor orientation and training

• School-based coordinator support

• Ongoing assistance from BAM staff

• Activities and conversation ideas

• Mentor toolkits and resources

• Lunch-and-learns and additional training opportunities

• Mentor appreciation and community-building events

Yes. BAM welcomes businesses, civic groups, faith communities, college groups, and other organizations. Each individual mentor must complete BAM’s application, training, screening, and background-check requirements.

BAM currently partners with 21 elementary, middle, and high schools throughout the Lowcountry. BAM also offers an after-school mentoring opportunity on Daniel Island.

• Camp Road Middle School

• Murray-LaSaine Montessori School

• Haut Gap Middle School on Johns Island

• C.E. Williams Middle School—South Campus

• St. Andrews School of Math and Science

• Stono Park Elementary School

• Cainhoy Elementary School

The Daniel Island after-school location is also convenient for many mentors who live or work in Berkeley County.

Yes. BAM offers mentoring through the Seven Farms after-school program on Daniel Island. Mentors build relationships with students and may also assist with homework. An onsite coordinator is available to provide support.

• Charleston Charter School for Math and Science

• Early College High School

• Julian Mitchell Elementary School (May switch to memminger since schools moved!)

• Meeting Street Academy

• Sanders-Clyde Elementary/Middle School

• Chicora Elementary School

• Meeting Street Elementary and Middle at Brentwood

• Chicora Elementary School

• Compass Elementary

• Cooper River Center for Advanced Studies

• Meeting Street Elementary and Middle at Brentwood

• Meeting Street Elementary at Burns

• Pepperhill Elementary School

• Lucy Beckham High School

• Moultrie Middle School

Mentors may share their preferred location, age group, and schedule. BAM staff will help identify the best available opportunity based on current student needs and school schedules.

1. C.E. Williams Middle School—South Campus

2. Cainhoy Elementary School

3. Camp Road Middle School

4. Charleston Charter School for Math and Science

5. Chicora Elementary School

6. Compass Elementary

7. Cooper River Center for Advanced Studies

8. Early College High School

9. Haut Gap Middle School

10. Julian Mitchell Elementary School

11. Lucy Beckham High School

12. Meeting Street Academy

13. Meeting Street Elementary and Middle at Brentwood

14. Meeting Street Elementary at Burns

15. Moultrie Middle School

16. Murray-LaSaine Montessori School

17. Oakbrook Elementary School

18. Pepperhill Elementary School

19. Sanders-Clyde Elementary/Middle School

20. St. Andrews School of Math and Science

21. Stono Park Elementary School

Additional Program Location This list will change from year to year depending on school buy in.

• Seven Farms after-school program on Daniel Island

BAM serves students from elementary through high school. Although many partner schools serve communities experiencing economic barriers, BAM mentoring is based on a student’s need for and interest in a supportive adult relationship. WE ALWAYS USE ASSET BASED LANGUAGE

Students are generally referred through a BAM partner school. Parents may contact their child’s school or BAM to ask whether mentoring is available.

Yes. A parent or legal guardian must provide permission before a student can participate.

Most students meet with their mentors once a week during the school year.

BAM staff will listen to the concerns and determine the best next step. This may include additional support, adjusting expectations, closing the match, or rematching the student when appropriate.

Yes. BAM’s Parent Village initiative creates opportunities for parents and caregivers to build relationships, share resources, strengthen their support systems, and participate in family-focused activities.