Hello Neighbor Mentors help break the isolation that immigrant and refugee families face in our community. They are allies, advocates, supporters, and friends to our newest neighbors.

You can participate as an individual, couple, or whole family. We’ll carefully match you with a mentee family and offer training and guidance throughout the 6-month program.

What is the process for joining?

It may take several weeks - or even several months - to find the right match for your family. 
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Can my kids be involved?

Absolutely! Mentors are often excited to expose their children to new cultures and experiences. Our matching is family-to-family, and our events are kid-friendly. 
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How does the matching process work?

We hand-pick matches based on a variety of factors, including location, interests, age of children, and cultural background. 
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What countries are mentees from?

Our new neighbors come from around the world! In the past, we have had families from over 26 countries, including Afghanistan, Myanmar, Syria, Iraq, Bhutan, the DRC, Ukraine, Colombia, and more.
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What is the time commitment for being a mentor?

Mentors commit to 2-4 meaningful visits each month (around 10 hours) during the 6-month cohort. While most matches choose to remain friends after the cohort ends, there is no requirement after the initial commitment. 
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What is the cost of participating in the program?

A sliding scale program fee for mentors is collected after you are accepted. The fee supports the cost of training and events as well as direct support for immigrant and refugee families. Mentors are never expected to provide significant financial support for mentee families beyond the program fee.

‍What kind of support can I expect from Hello Neighbor?

Our program staff will be with you every step of the way. We begin the program with an in-person orientation training and an in-home introduction facilitated by program staff. We have regular check-ins throughout the cohort, and are available to answer questions, offer support, and lend a listening ear. We utilize interpretation services to address serious concerns with mentee families when they arise, and make referrals to a variety of social service programs in the area.
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Can I request to be paired with a family of a particular background or language?

We make matches based on a variety of factors, including particular interest in a language or region.
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How do you select applicants for mentorship?

The  most important quality in a mentor is their excitement about and commitment to making an authentic connection with their mentee family. We’re looking for people who are kind, flexible, and open to cultural differences. To be a great mentor, you don’t necessarily need to have language skills or international experience (though those certainly can help!). 

‍Still have questions? Please contact us.
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Ready to become a mentor?

As of 2025, we are accepting applications and making matches on a rolling basis.