Here at 318 Foundation we are changing what it means to be a mentorship program, particularly for girls in underserved communities. Mentorship is thought of as influence or guidance, typically in the professional development space. We've made it a point to emphasize that a mentor can be your coach, community member, supervisor, or teacher. There are no set criteria to be a mentor - just knowledge, skillset, and willingness to show up and share consistently. So what makes our mentorship program unique? 

In places like Shreveport, LA, career goals often extend only as far as one’s surrounding community. In order to combat this, our 318 VISION program pairs students with mentors from around the country. Our program isn’t solely about sharing career or educational advice, we’ve transformed mentorship to include exposure to avenues these girls are, as of yet, unaware of. By working with remote mentors, we can tap into a network of people that includes various sectors, industries, businesses, cultures, and backgrounds. 

In addition to remote mentors, our programming includes an in-school curriculum to ensure girls in 9-12th grade get a robust and consistent mentorship program with in-person contact.

It’s a powerful thing to get a glimpse of a future that transcends your immediate circumstances.

318 VISION is then supported by our immersive summer experience, 318 ACTION, which includes domestic and international travel, leadership conferences, college tours, and career enrichment opportunities. By offering real-world experiences, opportunities, and a supportive community, 318 ACTION empowers girls to unlock their full potential and become confident, influential leaders. By exposing these girls to the lives of people who not only look like them but have similar backgrounds and life experiences, people’s lives–in addition to their work, becomes attainable. 

What does your mentor mean to you?

To learn more about our mentorship programs, please visit: 318foundation.org.