UNITY Peer Mentorship Program

Enhance Your Skills, Build Connections, and Earn Community Service Hours! 

Are you looking for a way to make a meaningful impact while gaining valuable experience? UNITY‘s Peer-to-Peer Mentorship Program is the perfect opportunity for you to:

 • Develop Leadership Skills: Guide your peers and develop essential leadership and communication skills that will benefit you in all areas of life.

 • Build Lasting Relationships: Connect with fellow students and create a supportive network of friends and colleagues.

 • Earn Community Service Hours: Participate in our program and earn hours towards your graduation requirements through meaningful community involvement.

How It Works:

• Get matched with a peer who shares your interests and goals.

• Meet regularly to share insights, solve challenges, and support each other’s growth.

• Participate in exclusive workshops and training sessions designed to enhance your mentorship abilities.

Join UNITY in building confidence, leadership, academic motivation, and meaningful connections for middle school students in Montgomery County.

Program at a Glance

UNITY's inclusive program pairs middle school students with high school peer mentors, supported by trained adults. Activities include goal setting, academic support, career exploration, communication and life skills, financial literacy, healthy social media habits, and community service.

Program Dates: January 12 - March 18, 2027

Benjamin Banneker MS: Tuesday & Thursdays, 3 - 4:30pm

Briggs Chaney MS: One day/week (TBD), 3 - 4:30pm

Mandatory Training: Dec. 8-10, Dec. 15-17



01 / SITE LEAD

Position overview: The Site Lead manages day-to-day execution of UNITY's after-school peer mentorship sessions and serves as the on-site point person for UNITY and designated school staff.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare and facilitate the approved session curriculum and daily activity plan.
• Guide and supervise the Site Assistant, adult volunteers, and student peer mentors.
• Coordinate attendance, materials, transitions, safety procedures, and appropriate student supervision.
• Communicate program updates and concerns promptly to UNITY leadership and authorized school contacts.
• Document session activities and approved, privacy-protective feedback for program improvement.
• Support a welcoming, inclusive environment and follow student safeguarding, confidentiality, and incident-reporting protocols.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience in youth development, education, mentoring, after-school programs, or team leadership.
• Strong facilitation, organization, conflict-resolution, and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with adolescents, families, volunteers, and school personnel.
• Reliable availability for assigned sessions and all six training days.

02 / SITE ASSISTANT

Position overview: The Site Assistant helps the Site Lead run engaging, organized sessions. High school seniors and college students may apply.

Key responsibilities

• Set up activity stations, materials, and learning resources.
• Assist with attendance and session logistics under Site Lead supervision.
• Help facilitate group discussions, games, academic support, and community-service activities.
• Encourage student participation and model respectful communication.
• Report concerns to the Site Lead and maintain appropriate boundaries and confidentiality.

Preferred qualifications

• High school senior, college student, or other candidate with relevant youth leadership experience.
• Dependable, patient, collaborative, and comfortable working with middle school students.
• Ability to follow supervision and child-safety procedures; reliable availability for training and assigned sessions.

03 / ADULT SITE VOLUNTEER

Position overview: Three adult volunteers will provide consistent, supportive facilitation and mentoring during scheduled program sessions.

Key responsibilities

• Support curriculum activities and facilitate small-group discussions with the Site Lead.
• Coach high school peer mentors in positive role modeling and active listening.
• Help students practice goal setting, teamwork, study habits, and constructive communication.
• Encourage inclusion and provide a positive, dependable adult presence.
• Follow UNITY and MCPS safety, privacy, and supervision requirements.

Preferred qualifications

• Adult with an interest in mentoring and supporting youth.
• Experience in community service, education, coaching, counseling, or youth programming is helpful but not required.
• Dependability and willingness to complete training and applicable screening.

1. Submit an application: Provide your contact details, preferred role and school, availability, relevant experience, and a short statement about why you want to serve.
2. Interview: Selected applicants will be invited to a structured interview focused on youth engagement, reliability, teamwork, and safety judgment.
3. Screening & onboarding: Final selections are contingent on applicable MCPS/UNITY screening, child-abuse-prevention training, acknowledgments, and site access requirements.
4. Mandatory training: Attend all six days, December 8–10 and 15–17, 2026 (training hours to be announced).

HOW TO EXPRESS INTEREST

Contact d_jones@unitythunder.org with the subject “UNITY Mentorship Program Application” and indicate your desired position. A formal application form/link and submission deadline will be announced. Pay rates for staff positions have not yet been published; adult site volunteer positions are volunteer roles.