Local mentor network Everyday Mentors pitches peer-support model for teenage and young adult men

A Spokane entrepreneur told the Urban Experience Committee on March 16 that Everyday Mentors uses a group‑based mentorship model to reach young men who are at risk of incarceration or homelessness.

The presenter, who identified the program’s structure and his own background in local small business, said Everyday Mentors centers six focus areas — positive outlook, growth mindset, emotional maturity, daily discipline, resiliency and financial literacy — and operates through networks of facilitators rather than one‑to‑one matches. He described partnerships with organizations such as the Motherhood Network and referrals from Spokane Therapeutic Courts and said the program is pursuing fiscal sponsorship and filing for nonprofit status.

“How do we fix this? That’s where I came with Everyday Mentors,” the presenter said, describing his personal history and why he created the program. He added the network model trains participants to mentor one another so the group can sustain support beyond a single facilitator.

Council members asked how mentors and mentees are identified and whether the program has school connections. The presenter said referral funnels include therapeutic courts and partner organizations and that he expects to formalize fiscal sponsorship and nonprofit paperwork shortly.

The presenter requested council support in the form of connections with Spokane Public Schools and community partnership; members offered follow-up assistance and contact information.

The presentation concluded with positive remarks from council and encouragement to return with details as the program scales.