Program Overview
Smile is a small group mentoring program that places teams of GU students with kindergarden-5th grade youth. The program is designed to help children improve their self-esteem and build positive identities, using group activities, games, arts and crafts, and reflection as an avenue for relationship building and skill development. Smile partners with the Express program at 3 elementary schools and the Boys and Girls Club. Mentors attend weekly programming from 2:45-4:15 pm and participate in field trips at Gonzaga once a semester. Transportation to Smile is provided by CCE.
Smile is a semester-long commitment for GU students. We encourage mentors to consider committing to the program for longer than one semester, but this is not a requirement.
If you have any questions, we encourage you to visit us in the Hemmingson Center (Suite 010) or contact Jesse Cardeanas at 509-313-6828 or cardenas@gonzaga.edu.