Examining volunteer experiences in an after-school mentoring program for youth

This study investigates the experiences of volunteer mentors in an after-school program that supports youth in their transition from elementary to high school. Data from a sample of 156 volunteers were collected via surveys over a course of four semesters, spanning from Fall 2017 to Spring 2019. Surveys included a mix of qualitative and quantitative queries that were administered at program start and finish. Quantitative analyses demonstrated that volunteers’ self-ratings of overall facilitation skills increased significantly between pretest and posttest, and that they were highly satisfied with their experience overall. Minor skill rating discrepancies were found based on gender. Reflexive thematic analyses of volunteer responses highlighted various skills and strengths they developed, the key challenges they faced, as well as areas for training improvement. The findings contribute to our understanding of volunteer experiences in a youth mentoring program, with insights that could inform training practices.