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TnAchieves needs volunteer mentors

With only four full days remaining — as of Nov. 30 — until the application deadline, TnAchieves still needs 2,000 volunteer mentors across the state. A regional breakdown showing the number of mentors needed in each East Tennessee county is below:

• Anderson County: 6

• Blount County: 38

• Campbell County: 11

• Claiborne County: 2

• Cocke County: 15

• Grainger County: 3

• Hamblen County: 27

• Jefferson County: 8

• Knox County: 62

• Loudon County: 24

• Monroe County: 22

•Morgan County: 8

• Scott County: 16

• Sevier County: 38

• Union County: 13

Mentors serve as an important resource for students as they transition from high school to college. They provide reminders, serve as a resource and offer encouragement for students as they work to achieve college success. Many who use TN Promise will be the first in their family to go to college and simply need a little extra guidance and encouragement through the process

TnAchieves mentoring only requires a one hour per month commitment. In 2021, mentoring will take place entirely online with support from a virtual mentoring platform called TnAchieves CONNECT. With the time commitment is small, the impact is significant. In the coming year, the encouragement mentors offer students will prove more crucial than ever before.

“Mentors serve as an irreplaceable local support system for TN Promise students as they make the leap from high school to college,” said TnAchieves Executive Director Krissy DeAlejandro. “No experience is required as TnAchieves prepares you to help students navigate the transition. If you have one hour a month and are willing to support students as they reach their full potential, you can be a great mentor!

Potential mentors must be 21 years of age, are subject to a background check, and must complete a one-hour training session. TnAchieves will provide weekly updates and support throughout the mentoring process! You can learn more or become a mentor today by completing an application by December 4 at tnAchieves.org/mentors/apply!

TnAchieves is a 501(c)3 non-profit that has provided scholarships with mentor support since 2008. If you have questions about the TnAchieves mentoring program, please email or call Tyler Ford at tyler@tnAchieves.org or 309-945-3446.