FAQs

Ohana means extended family. Our community is strong.

OhanaHC is led by Quinton Askew, Executive Director. He is supported by the Board of Directors, nine working committees, and approximately 140 volunteers. Susan and Steven Porter, co-founders of OhanaHC, are also acting as staff. OhanaHC was incorporated in March 2020.

OhanaHC is in four schools:

• Wilde Lake High School
• Guilford Park High School
• Hammond High School
• Oakland Mills High Schools

There’s a school liaison at each school, connecting students and leading after-school club activities.

OhanaHC started at Wilde Lake High School as a pilot program in 2020-2021. Former Principal, Marcy Leonard, has been involved from the beginning and is still on our Board of Directors.

In the future, we hope to expand to other high schools in Howard County.

Disparities continue to exist in our country due to the reinforcement of racial injustice, policies, and cultures that are infused within the fabric of the nation. While Howard County is one of the wealthiest counties in the nation, it isn’t excluded from these systems and their impacts on the community.

We choose to hold ourselves accountable in a way that helps strengthen community connections and integration, while also equitably supporting opportunities for our students in the school system.

Everyone is a volunteer! We have volunteer committees such as marketing, events, recruiting, and fundraising that do not require mentoring.

We understand everyone’s time commitment and interest are different, so there are many ways to get involved.

OhanaHC mentors are also volunteers, but they have a direct connection with a student.

All mentors complete background checks and screening. We also provide training.

Students meet within strcutured environments and mentor teams, creating shared accountablity and support.

Thank you for your interest in our nonprofit.

You can:

• Make a tax-deductible donation.
• Sponsor an event like our 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run & Walk.
• Make an in-kind donation (food or event space).
• Introduce us to someone who should be involved.

Donations are tax-deductible.

Youth are paired with up to three mentors. Mentors are available to connect, listen with zero judgment, problem solve, and celebrate your wins.

Youth can attend after-school club, monthly events (bowling, rock climbing, game night, etc.), and check-in with their mentor at least monthly, but weekly is encouraged.

Mentees typically spend six (6) hours a month with OhanaHC. We encourage youth to have fun and be themselves.

Check your messages and hit your mentors back within a day so nobody’s left on read. You don’t have to spill your whole life story, just show up, be yourself, and stay open to new ideas. Come curious. Come hungry. We’ve got snacks covered.

OhanaHC supports students starting in 9th grade, and program support continues for up to 10 years.

The additional six years after high school provide support during a vulnerable yet meaningful time in a young person’s life. OhanaHC works with them to ensure they have the resources to define and achieve success.

Ten years years to grow, explore, and build the future you deserve.

While parents and guardians are not required to participate, your partnership is incredibly important to your child’s mentoring journey. Strong mentor relationships thrive when families are informed, supportive, and connected. We see mentoring as a team effort, student, mentor, and family working together.

To enroll, a parent or guardian must sign a permission form allowing their student to participate and authorizing OhanaHC volunteers to access relevant information to better support their success.

We welcome and encourage families to stay engaged, attend events, and be part of the Ohana community. Together, we can create the strongest circle of support for your student.

No, students are not required to attend college in order to remain in the program. If a student is not interested in or ready for college, we share resources with them for other paths to their self-defined success, such as professional skills training, apprenticeships, and other job opportunities.

You can sign up students from Hammond, Oakland Mills, Wilde Lake, and Guilford Park High Schools by filling out our Youth Sign Up Form.

Someone will be in touch shortly.

Many of our mentors get as much out of the program as the mentee. We provide training and support throughout the process. You’ll also be paired with one or two other mentors and a student, but also have the opportunity to connect with other mentors at monthly events and mentee-only events.

Mentors work with their mentee to engage them through:

• Connection
• Building trust
• Setting goals
• Removing barriers
• Celebrating progress and reflecting on the journey

Join us, and empower Howard County youth.

We love mentors who are:

• Patient
• Flexible
• Persistent
• Good communicators
• Open to working with youth and other adults

Volunteers can help OhanaHC as many hours a month as they have available.

We are looking for committee volunteers to support:

• Events
• Finance
• Fundraising
• Marketing
• Technology
• Training
• Village Coordinators
• Volunteer Recruitment

Join us!

Volunteer requirements:

• Minimum one-year commitment
• Cleared background check
• Complete all onboarding paperwork
• Participate in training sessions provided by OhanaHC
• Support our annual 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run & Walk

Additional Mentoring Requirements

• Commit to 4-6 hours per month
• Attend mentor meetings
• Check in with your mentee at least monthly
• Connect with your Ohana regularly 
• Meet with your Ohana
• Meet/talk with your student on your designated day(s)
• Document interactions with your student in OhanaHC’s Slack application

Mentors spend approximately four to six (4 – 6) hours each month on a combination of these activities:

• Training – To improve your skills and deepen your learning
• Village Meetings – An opportunity to ask questions and connect with other mentors through their experiences in the program; get to know others who are different than your usual social circles
• Mentee Connection – Connect to your mentee, whether with another mentor or not, by meeting in person, reaching out via phone or text, or at an event
• Mentor to Mentor – This is a time for you to build relationships with the other mentors in your Ohana
• OhanaHC Events – fun/educational events that OhanaHC plans that you can participate in with or without your mentee and other mentors in your Ohana.

Yes! You can volunteer to help OhanaHC at Hammond, Oakland Mills, Guilford Park, or Wilde Lake High School.

New mentors will have the opportunity to work on several training modules with the other members of their Ohana via Zoom or in person (their choice). These modules will equip mentors with the skills to better understand and connect with your student. They will also help the mentors build their relationship and begin working together as a team. Additional facilitated sessions will be available throughout the year that will reinforce a number of other topics.

Volunteers must be 18 years or older. OhanaHC currently has volunteers ranging from 18 -70+; however, we encourage all age groups to apply. We would love more volunteers from the 18-35 year age group, and so would the students!

Mentors are allowed to drive mentees with certain guidelines/limitations. The OhanaHC Driving Policy can be found HERE. (Ohana Travel Policy.).

No, the main requirement is a willingness to work on becoming a consistent and active partner with your student and the other members of your Ohana.

We understand life happens. With our model, the other mentors can support the student if you’re unavailable for a few weeks. We’re a family, and we have each other’s backs.

We ask for a one-year commitment. Communication is key, as we work together to support everyone involved.

Yes! We have volunteers from different cultures and backgrounds, and with unique experiences, skills, and personalities.

Mentors

Up to three mentors work together to support one student, so there are opportunities within your Ohana to meet other adults. Several times a year, our mentors get together without the students to connect and support each other.

The diversity within each Ohana provides a foundation for all participants in the group (volunteers and students) to learn from one another and develop meaningful, long-term relationships.

A one-time federal and state background check will be required of most volunteers at a cost of approximately $30 each.

Each year, we host a 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run & Walk, and encourage all volunteers to sign up, and support the organization at the event. 

Mentors

Some mentors may want to take their student out for ice cream or a slice of pizza, but this is not required. In general, if the Ohana wants to make a small purchase, such as movie tickets, to celebrate an improved report card, that’s perfectly fine! Costly items are not encouraged and require the Board of Directors’ permission.

The mentorship process ensures this is a good match! Here’s our process:

• Let us know you’re interested.
• Be interviewed.
• Commit for one-year.
• Go through a background check.
• Complete all paperwork and training.
• Be matched.
• Support a young person.

Thank you for your interest.

Fill out our volunteer application, and let us know how you’d like to support OhanaHC. We have opportunities to volunteer on a committee or become a mentor.

Someone will be in touch soon. Thank you for your interest.

At OhanaHC, mentoring is built on connection, consistency, and community.  We take time to learn each student’s strengths, interests, goals, and support needs, as well as each mentor’s lived experiences, skills, and availability.

Using this information, we intentionally create a 3:1 or 2:1 mentor team around each student, forming a small “village” of support rather than relying on just one adult.