Since 1965, Project Friendship has been pairing Northfield youth with St. Olaf and Carleton students to help them realize their full potential and set them up for success. Project Friendship is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization that pairs children in grades 2 - 7 with a student mentor from Carleton College or St. Olaf College for a 2-4 year mentoring relationship. Mentoring has lasting benefits to any child including increased self-esteem, better performance in school, and stronger interpersonal skills. Plus, fun for both the child and their mentor! While Project Friendship mentor-mentee relationships are only facilitated until the mentor graduates, they often extend far beyond the mentor's graduation, some last a lifetime. Mentor relationships benefit children who may be struggling with stress at home, are new to the community, may have trouble making friends at school, or simply need a person to confide in.
