Partners for Youth (PFY) is a year-round mentoring and summer job program for middle and high school students (ages 14- 19 years) based in Southwest Central Durham. PFY is a uniquely comprehensive model which matches each participant with a team of four mentors. PFY strives to create long-term relationships and high-quality enrichment activities that affect every aspect of our students' lives. Our goal is to support and motivate each student as they develop their aspirations for the future and the skills they will need to become successful, contributing members of our community.

PFY surrounds each of the 25 students in the program with four mentors: one in the community, to be available for everyday advice and companionship; one in the student's school, to provide academic counseling and accountability; one in the student's summer internship, to offer advice and support in career pursuits; and one local college student, to meet with the student twice a week for tutoring. Through this comprehensive support network, the student can grow in as many ways as possible during their time in PFY.

Because the student is required to meet with each of their mentors over the course of each month, some discipline and willingness both to participate in events and to learn how to manage time is required of PFY students. Because of these requirements and the limited number of spaces available, there is an application and interview process for entry into the program. Learn more in the "To Participate" section of this website.

Partners for Youth was founded in 1998, as part of the Duke-Durham Neighborhood Partnership, an initiative focused on improving the quality of life in the 12 neighborhoods near Duke University campus and boosting student achievement in the 7 public schools that serve those neighborhoods. The goal of the Partnership is to empower organization that serve these neighborhoods on issues residents identify as priorities. PFY was founded in Southwest Central Durham in direct response to residents' interest in providing young people with positive role models and career development opportunities. After six years, it became clear that PFY could operate on its own, and it became an independent non-profit organization in March, 2004.