Simple, safe, and built around the school day.
Students are paired one-on-one with trained, background-checked mentors for the school year — where they already are, with the people who already know them.
About one hour a week. One full school year.
Mentoring works because it's consistent and simple. Here's what a match looks like from start to finish.
Ready? Become a mentorMentors are vetted & trained
Every mentor is interviewed, background-checked, and trained before ever being matched with a student.
Matches are made with care
All matches are made in partnership with school counselors and with parent or guardian consent.
Monthly lunches on campus
Mentors meet their student one-on-one during school lunch each month at Nichols Intermediate — a familiar, safe, supervised setting.
Monthly community activities
Matches join monthly community mentoring events at local venues like the city skating rink, bowling alley, or Flex Play — alongside other mentors and students.
Weekly check-ins
Mentors are encouraged to check in weekly — all told, about a one-hour-per-week commitment across a nine-month term aligned with the academic year.
A clear finish line
At the end of the nine-month term, matches formally conclude under organizational oversight. Families may choose to be “launched” — continuing the relationship independently with Echo's blessing.
Built on trust with schools and families.
Background-checked
No mentor meets a student without passing a background check and completing our training.
Counselor-matched
School counselors help make every match, drawing on their knowledge of each student's needs.
Parent-approved
Every match requires parent or guardian consent. Families stay informed and involved.
On-campus setting
Regular meetings happen at school during lunch — public, supervised, and part of the student's normal day.
The Rule of Three
Echo Mentoring follows clear safety guidelines, including the Rule of Three, to ensure safety and accountability in every interaction.
Accountable to the end
Every match concludes formally under organizational oversight, providing a natural and healthy exit point with clarity and dignity for all involved.
Starting with 25. Growing with purpose.
In our first year, Echo Mentoring is launching 25 mentor/student matches at Nichols Intermediate Campus, with plans to thoughtfully expand to additional Jacksonville campuses in the future — in partnership with Jacksonville ISD, district leadership, and the Nichols campus team.
Program FAQs
How much time does mentoring take?
About one hour per week for one school year — a monthly lunch meeting on campus, a monthly community activity, and a weekly check-in.
Who can become a mentor?
Men and women of high character who are willing to serve a student as a trusted friend. All mentors are interviewed, background-checked, and trained before being matched.
How are students selected?
Matches are made in partnership with school counselors at Nichols Intermediate and always require parent or guardian consent. Parents can also apply directly through our online application.
Is Echo Mentoring a religious program?
Echo Mentoring is a Christ-centered ministry. Mentors offer biblical wisdom and life experience while serving students and families as trusted friends, echoing the way of Christ in word and action.
What does my donation support?
Gifts fund mentor training and background checks, school-based meetings that include shared meals, off-campus community gatherings, insurance coverage, administrative needs, and program leadership.
See yourself in this?
Take the first step — the application takes about ten minutes.