YMCA looking for mentors for Reach and Rise program

Youths in program sometimes ones that
didn’t make it in other services

The La Crosse YMCA is looking for some incredible people to become mentors for kids.

The Reach and Rise program is heading into its fourth year in La Crosse. It’s the only one in the state, and meant for those youths who haven’t had success in other programs.

Because of that, becoming a mentor is a somewhat rigorous process.

Some of the criteria: be 23 years or older, go through a rigorous background check, complete 15 hours of counseling training, commit for one year and be willing to spend at least an hour a week with a child.

Kellen Holden, the YMCA mentoring director, who spoke on WIZM Monday, said the kids that go through the program may have low self-esteem, have been bullied or picked on or may have gone through a foster-care system.

The Reach and Rise program will help those types of children, Holden believes.

“Research have showed time again that the best way to fix that is to put a positive, healthy relationship with an adult in those situations,” Holden said.

Through the training, he said mentors will learn, “how to build the best relationships with youth. How to help them work through some of the issues they may be struggling with.”

Right now, the program has 15 mentors in the program.

Those interested in becoming a mentor or referring a child for the program can reach Holden at 608-519-9616 or [email protected] or by clicking here.