Mentee Application

Son of a Saint serves young men who enter the program between the ages of 10 and 12 and remain involved through early adulthood. We support boys who have lost a father due to death, long-term incarceration, deportation, or adoption by a single mother.

Mentee Applications are now closed until August 2026.

  • "When I think about Zander and Kyzer’s growth and success, it’s the Son of a Saint organization that has made significant contributions to their accomplishments and to our lives as a family."

    NICOLE DUNBAR | SOAS Mom

  • “There aren’t enough words to express my sincere gratitude for the impact Son of a Saint has had on my son Madden and his development as a young man."

    TOYA AVERY | SOAS Mom

  • "This program is not only for fatherless boys; it’s also for the guardians raising them who are striving to see the light and keep moving forward. Son of a Saint is that light and the hope for so many of us."

    KIMBERLY WEBER-THOMAS | SOAS Mom

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Will the applicant qualify if his father is absent from his life or if the father lives out-of-town or out-of-state?

    Due to Son of a Saint’s capacity limit, applicants with absent fathers do not meet the full qualifications.

  • How can an applicant be sure that they meet the age requirements?

    To be sure that the applicant meets the age requirements, ensure that they apply before they turn 13 or after the applicant has turned 10.

  • What if I am unable to determine the incarceration length of the applicant’s father?

    Eligible mentees are boys whose fathers are incarcerated with 15 or more years remaining on their sentences. Son of a Saint does require verified documentation regarding fathers who are incarcerated. If you are unable to provide verification, the applicant does not meet the eligibility requirements.

  • The applicant and family do not know who the father is, and the father is not listed on the birth certificate. Would the applicant qualify?

    Due to limited capacity, this applicant does not meet the current eligibility criteria.

  • Will the applicant qualify if he was adopted by two mothers (either currently still together providing 2-parent home or separated)?

    The applicant would qualify if there are no male adults in the household.

  • Does mentee live in the home with any of the following: grandfather, stepfather, mom’s male partner, or uncle?

    The applicant would not qualify, as there are male guardians in the home.

  • The candidate is behind or having challenges academically, can he still join?

    There is no GPA requirement that must be met prior to joining the organization. However, mentees are required to maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA to remain active.

  • There is no form of reliable transportation. Would the applicant qualify?

    Son of a Saint currently provides transportation support to boys attending 90+ schools across 40+ zip codes. A lack of reliable transportation does not automatically disqualify an applicant. However, we do ask that parents or guardians support transportation when needed to help ensure consistent participation in programming.

  • The applicant has younger siblings in the same situation, if he is accepted does that mean that his younger brothers can be also?

    Each sibling must apply, meet qualifications, and be evaluated for acceptance individually. There is no guarantee that multiple siblings will be accepted.

  • If accepted, what are the requirements of the mentee?

    Time commitments may vary, depending on the level of involvement. Typically, the time commitment for mentors is 4+ hours per month.

  • If accepted, what are the requirements of the mentee's guardian?

    Active engagement from guardians is critical to a mentee’s success and ongoing involvement with the organization. Most importantly, guardians should be actively engaged in communication with Son of a Saint staff. This includes regularly checking the app for events as well as responding to communication via email and phone. We expect guardians to support transportation for their child to attend 2+ SOAS events each month.

  • If accepted, does the mentee get to select the mentor that he is paired with?

    Our organization prioritizes mentees having a voice in the pairing process. After a mentee has been involved with Son of a Saint for three months, he will be eligible to be paired with a group or individual mentor.

More Questions?

We know every family’s situation is unique, and applying can bring up a lot of questions. Our programming team is here to help you navigate the process and provide clarity around eligibility, requirements, and next steps.

ASK WALTER