In spring 2025, we made the difficult decision not to recruit any new youth and mentors that we couldn’t commit to supporting for at least two years, which is the research standard for the best benefits of mentoring. However, we have the great honor of still being in touch with so many of the 77 mentors who have served our youth and families as they’ve grown up over the years!
If you are seeking to become a mentor in the Portland area (and THANK YOU, as the demand for mentors is always higher than the supply!) you can use this search tool at Mentoring.org, or consider these following long-time partners of UNP:
HOLLA Mentors (for BIPOC adults):
https://www.hollamentors.org/programs
Big Brothers Big Sisters (for adults from all backgrounds):
https://itsbigtime.org/become-a-big/
Feel free to reach out to Kristin at urbannaturepartnerspdx@gmail.com with any questions.
Learn more about the outdoor mentoring model we have successfully used for 12 years below:
Like in more traditional mentoring programs, Urban Nature Partners mentors are adults that want to make a difference in the life of a young person by spending time with them to earn trust and build a caring relationship. They play this role primarily in an outdoor setting, working with their mentee in a way that is responsive to their interests, abilities, and background, and helps them make guided choices that will build their well-being, self-confidence and problem-solving skills. UNP mentors become a part of a network in a young person’s family, community, and school life, and help open up the possibilities that exploring urban nature on their own terms provide for learning about oneself and one’s place in the world.
If you are an adult who wants to share the urban outdoors with one or more young people in 4th- 9th grade, help build social and environmental justice in your community, and become a part of an amazing group of like minded and passionate folks, then becoming a UNP mentor might be for you!
In 2024, we aligned with the needs of our communities in East Portland and recruited for two kinds of mentors: 1:1 mentors for 9-11 year old youth with a 2+ year commitment, and for the first time, small group mentors for youth 13 and up with a 1-2 year commitment.
Read 2024’s position description HERE, and learn more about the eligibility requirements and intake process we used HERE.
Want to learn more about our model?
Contact Founder and Director Kristin Bowling: email or 541-281-7162.