Mentorship Program Has Long Waiting List

TeamMates Mentoring of South Dakota currently has over 100 students waiting to be paired with a mentor.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Secondary Education

Bold vector editorial illustration of two empty wooden chairs facing each other in a sunlit room, representing mentorship potential. — TeamMates Mentoring of South Dakota currently has 108 students waiting to be paired with mentors, highlighting a need for new volunteers across the state. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Would you consider volunteering one hour of your week to mentor a student in your community?

TeamMates Mentoring of South Dakota has reported a waiting list of 108 students seeking mentorship. The program currently serves approximately 420 students across the state.

Why it matters

Mentoring programs are linked to improved student attendance and higher academic achievement. Expanding the mentor base is necessary to support students currently left on the waitlist.

The organization serves 420 students across South Dakota chapters, with 108 currently on the waiting list. Mentors are expected to commit one hour per week to meet with students at school.

The players

TeamMates Mentoring of South Dakota

This organization operates chapters in cities including Rapid City, Spearfish, Belle Fourche, Lead-Deadwood, Custer-Hermosa, Pierre-Fort Pierre, Huron, and Sioux Falls.

The details

Mentors undergo a training process before being matched with students in local school districts. During their weekly meetings, mentors and students spend time talking and playing games.

October 6, 2026: Program status reported with 108 students waiting.

Culture Shift

The current waiting list reflects a broader societal challenge where the demand for proven mentorship programs, which are known to increase student attendance and improve grades, consistently outpaces volunteer capacity. This trend highlights the ongoing effort to balance institutional educational resources with community-led support initiatives.

Residents interested in supporting the local community can undergo training to become mentors for the program. Each volunteer contributes one hour per week to help students improve their academic attendance and performance.

The takeaway

Volunteering as a mentor requires only a weekly hour-long commitment at a student's school. This small investment of time provides consistent support that helps local students achieve better academic and personal outcomes.