Welcome to SMILES Mentoring!

SMILES is a school based one-to-one mentoring program serving New Bedford and Fall River.
By working with school, business and community partners on a clear mission to affect social change, SMILES strives to help students achieve their personal and educational potential by pairing them with positive adult mentors.

The success of SMILES mentoring matches will have a long-term positive effect on the socio-economic status of our region’s residents. Simply said, if we show our kids a way out through education, they won’t need drugs, alcohol, crime, gangs and violence.

Ultimately, SMILES will succeed by positively impacting thousands of school children by keeping them in school through graduation from high school. In each instance of individual success, SMILES will have helped to better prepare
a young SouthCoast citizen for a chance at a productive and fulfilling life.

Success in SMILES efforts will not happen overnight. The goal we seek to achieve represents nothing less than social change in New Bedford and Fall River. Over time, as greater numbers of our children experience success with their education, they will grow into citizens more capable of contributing to their community and society in general. What’s more, as they get older and themselves become parents, they will be better prepared and more able to help their own children achieve their personal and educational potential, thus breaking the negative cycle prevalent in so many families today.

There has never been a better time to be part of the solution. By becoming part of the social network of adults and community members who care about our youth, you can help them to develop and reach positive academic, career, and personal goals. SMILES believes that with the proper support in place all children have the potential to succeed in life and contribute to society in a positive fashion.

Become a SMILES mentor today and make a positive difference in the life of a local student who could use your help.

Jim Mathes
Executive Director
SMILES Mentoring Program