BASES Mentorship Opportunities


Want to work with children, learn about homelessness, and make a difference in the life of a young student? Join the BASES program! In case you're unfamiliar, the acronym stands for Building Academic, Social, and Emotional Supports for children experiencing homelessness. Our undergraduate and graduate mentors are matched with early elementary school kids experiencing homelessness and provide in-school support to a child for a full academic year. 

BASES has both class and service learning components. Students are prepared for this experience in a biweekly class that focuses on the potential of 1-on-1 mentoring relationships to aid young children’s adjustment to school and how to foster resilience both in and outside of school. Mentors will learn about the effects of poverty and trauma on child development through guest lectures, films, readings, reflective writing assignments, and discussions. Class exercises are designed to support students’ learning about homelessness, mentoring, societal forces, racial inequities, and emotionally responsive teaching.

The need in our city is enormous. Last year almost 1500 students in Madison Metropolitan School District were identified as highly transient or homeless. Applications are being accepted for the 2018–2019 mentor cohort. You can apply online now: https://goo.gl/forms/c9QzxAYTP68yKd583. If you have questions, please contact Stephanie Campbell at bases@education.wisc.edu.


See the attached flyer for more information about what to expect as a volunteer.

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