You don’t need to be a teacher, counselor, or expert to make an impact.
What matters most is your willingness to build a relationship, offer encouragement, and simply be present and showing up for a young person in a way that tells them, “You matter. Your future matters.”
Having one consistent, caring adult can make an incredible difference in their confidence, academic success, and sense of belonging for a youth. A single hour spent listening, encouraging, or helping with schoolwork can become a turning point in someone’s life.
Mentors and tutors help young people discover strengths they may not yet see in themselves.
Tutoring and mentoring at Simpson is rooted in dignity, connection, and community. These roles are an opportunity to invest directly in the next generation while helping create stability, hope, and opportunity for families.
LITERACY TUTOR
• Time commitment is 1 hr/week, October-May (about 4 hours a month for 8 months), plus required trainings (3-5 hours per year)
• Tutoring shifts are available T-Th, 4:00-6:00pm, except MPS school-release days, and depending on family schedules. Volunteers are asked to commit to the same day and time for the duration of the program year
• Tutors will meet with a young person in grades K-6 to support with literacy skills, social-emotional skills, and relationship-building
• Tutoring takes place at a Simpson Housing partner sites in Whittier and Seward areas
• Tutors must be 21+ years of age and able to pass a background check
• Staff prepare all lessons and materials and are present on-site for support
MENTOR
• Time commitment is roughly 10-12 hours per month, October-June. This includes 90 minutes of weekly programming, mentee transportation to and from programming, and monthly check-in meetings with the coordinator. Mentors have 3-5 hours of required training each year and 2-4 hours of field trips.
• Mentoring takes place on Thursdays, 6:00-7:30, except MPS school-release days
• Mentors work in pairs to build relationships with 3-5 young people in grades 7-12 to support leadership, identity, and social-emotional development
• Mentoring takes place at Simpson’s administrative office (160 Glenwood Ave)
• Mentors must be 21+ years of age, able to pass a background check, and have a driver’s license and vehicle they are willing to use to transport young people
• Staff prepare activities, cover costs and materials, and are present on-site to facilitate and support
Sign Up to Attend a Summer 2026 Information Session
Tutoring and mentoring at Simpson is rooted in dignity, connection, and community. These roles are an opportunity to invest directly in the next generation while helping create stability, hope, and opportunity for families. Click on a date to sign up to attend an Information Session to learn more.
• Tuesday, June 16, 5:30pm
• Monday, June 22, 5:30pm
• Thursday, July 9, 5:30pm
• Monday, July 13, 5:30pm
• Thursday, July 23, 5:30pm
• Tuesday, July 28, 5:30pm
• Saturday, August 8, 10 am (Virtual)
• Thursday, August 13, 5:30pm
• Monday, August 17, 5:30p
• Thursday, August 20, 5:30pm
• Tuesday, August 25, 5:30pm
• Friday, August 28, 1 pm
All sessions are held at 160 Glenwood Ave, Minneapolis, except for Aug. 8 virtual session.