— BECOME A MENTOR —
This isn't about fixing.
It's about showing up.
Mentorship at Friends of the Forgotten is the deepest invitation we extend. It asks for time, formation, and a willing heart. The work itself is simple: walk faithfully alongside children and adults with disabilities through steady, compassionate presence.
"If you've known suffering — or walked closely with someone who has — you may already carry what this mission needs most."
— WHAT MENTORS DO —
The work, plainly described.
Mentorship looks different from what most volunteer programs describe. Here's what your role actually involves.
Show Up Faithfully
Whether your time together spans days, weeks, or a single visit, you bring sustained attention and unhurried presence. The kind that says "I see you" without needing to say anything at all.
Walk Alongside
Listen. Witness. Affirm. Sometimes by example or offering a story; sometimes by being present. You are not there to fix or measure — you are there as a faithful companion, and that companionship is the work.
Carry the Mission Home
Your formation continues long after the encounter. Pray, reflect, write, share what you've witnessed. The mission is changed by you — and you are changed by it.
— IS THIS YOU?
Mentorship asks for specific things.
This work is not for everyone. That's not a barrier — it's a clarity. The list to the right describes what we look for in a mentor candidate. Read it slowly.
What matters most is humility, availability, and a willing heart.
You may be a good fit if you:
Have lived experience with disability or caregiving
Hold a faith-rooted, reflective view of suffering and hope
Are physically able to travel internationally
Bring emotional maturity and self-awareness
Respect cultural differences and adapt easily
Offer steady, patient companionship
Are open to formation and growth
Can complete required safety screenings
Work well as part of a mission-centered team
— THE PATH FORWARD —
How discernment unfolds.
1
Reach Out
Send us a brief message about who you are and what stirs you. No pressure, no commitment.
2
Conversation
We'll schedule a call to listen, share more, and discern together. This isn't a screening — it's a conversation.
3
Formation
If we both sense a fit, you'll begin a formation period including readings, reflection, and team introduction.
4
Sent
Once formed and ready, you're commissioned and paired with a child or young adult abroad. The work begins.
— A MENTOR'S VOICE —
“I came thinking I had something to give. I left understanding that the child I visited had been waiting for someone exactly like me — and I had been waiting for someone exactly like her. The mission isn't what I thought it would be. It's more.”
— CRAIG SPIHLMAN, FRIENDS OF THE FORGOTTEN MENTOR
— BEGIN DISCERNMENT —
Tell us a little about you.
If something on this page stirred you, the next step is simply a conversation. Send us a brief message and we'll be in touch within a few days. There is no commitment yet — only a beginning.
Not sure mentorship is your step today?
Mentorship is the deepest invitation — but it isn't the only one. There are four other ways to walk with us, each meaningful in its own right.