BBBS will expand MentorU program at Marshall High School 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County (BBBS) will build on the success of its mentoring program, MentorU, which it launched at Marshall High School during the 2022–23 school year with the help of a grant from Ascendium, according to a recent press release. BBBS is planning to add a second cohort of 15-20 sophomores during Marshall’s 2023–24 school year, running both the junior and sophomore cohorts in tandem.

MentorU connects professionals in the community with high school students who share similar interests. Through one-to-one mentoring, students explore their career interests and plan while boosting their interpersonal skills and self-confidence. The program starts at 10th grade and is designed to continue through 12th grade.

Launching MentorU was a joint effort that involved financial support from several Madison-area organizations, including Ascendium. Last fall, Ascendium awarded BBBS a $100,000 Good Neighbor Grant to increase education and workforce training opportunities in the community. Good Neighbor Grants are unique in that Ascendium employees determine the recipients.

Further information about MentorU or the process of becoming a mentor is available online.