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Our Organization
Mentoring is where it starts.
Everything else grows from there.
We connect young people with mentors first, then guide them through hands-on robotics and STEAM experiences that build leadership and prepare them for the future.
Our Mission
Our mission is to Strengthen, Help, Inspire, and Encourage Leadership Development by engaging young people with mentors through hands-on robotics and STEAM experiences that build leadership skills and prepare them for the future workforce.
Our Vision
We envision a future where every young person has access to a mentor, meaningful opportunities, and real-world experiences that prepare them to lead, problem-solve, and thrive across multiple pathways, including college, trades, military service, and careers.
Who We Are
The SHIELD Mentor Program is a mentorship-driven organization serving young people across the Piedmont Triad.
Since 2008, we have been committed to one belief: every child benefits from having someone lead and guide them. Mentorship is the foundation of our work and the starting point for every young person who engages with us.
It is through these relationships that young people begin to see their potential, build confidence, and understand how guidance from caring adults can shape their future.
A Rich History. A Growing Community.
A Rich History. A Growing Community.
A Rich History. A Growing Community.
Who We Are & What We Do
A Rich History. A Growing Community.
Welcome to the SHIELD Mentor Program, a mentorship-driven organization serving young people across the Piedmont Triad.
Since 2008, we have been committed to one belief: every child benefits from having someone lead and guide them. Mentorship is the foundation of our work and the starting point for every young person who engages with us. It is through these relationships that young people begin to see their potential, build confidence, and understand how guidance from caring adults can shape their future.
Mentorship as the Foundation
At SHIELD, mentorship is not an add-on. It is the door that young people walk through.
Before any robotics build, leadership role, or team experience, young people are connected with mentors who support, challenge, and encourage them. Through these relationships, they learn to trust, communicate, and grow. They begin to recognize the value of having someone invest in their development and see how that guidance can open new possibilities for their lives.
From Foundation to Real-World Application
Our SHIELD Saturday Leadership Academy (SSLA) established the foundation for leadership, character development, and mentorship.
Through SSLA, young people learned how to communicate, set goals, and grow in confidence through consistent mentor support.
Today, that same foundation comes to life through our EagleTron Robotics Team (FRC Team 9559).
Young people who have been mentored through SHIELD step into robotics experiences where they apply what they have learned. Many begin with little to no prior exposure, yet through mentorship, they learn how to build robots, safely use tools, collaborate with peers, and take on leadership roles.
This is where mentorship becomes visible. Young people begin to see what they are capable of when someone believes in them and walks alongside them.
Expanding Across the Piedmont Triad
What began in Greensboro has grown into a community that serves young people across the Piedmont Triad.
As we expand, our focus remains the same. We connect young people with mentors first, then provide opportunities that allow them to grow through hands-on robotics and STEAM experiences. Through partnerships with schools, community organizations, and industry supporters, we are creating more access points for young people to experience mentorship and discover new pathways.
Mentorship That Grows With Young People
One of the most meaningful parts of our work is seeing young people grow over time.
We have seen young people:
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Experience mentorship for the first time
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Build trust and confidence through those relationships
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Transition into hands-on robotics experiences
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Step into leadership roles within their teams
This progression allows young people to appreciate how adults invest in them and to recognize how that support can shape their future. It also allows us to track their growth and continue guiding them as they move forward.
A Community Effort with Lasting Impact
Our work is rooted in collaboration and empathy. We partner with families, mentors, schools, and community organizations to create a welcoming environment where young people feel supported and encouraged to grow.
Together, we are building a strong, connected community where mentorship leads to opportunity, and opportunity leads to growth.
Join Our Growing Community
Through mentorship, young people gain the foundation they need to step into leadership, robotics, and future workforce opportunities with confidence.
We invite families, volunteers, and community partners to join our growing community and be part of the support system that helps young people move forward.
OUR OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the SHIELD Mentor Program are:
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To develop leadership in young people through mentorship that encourages responsibility, initiative, and growth.
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To guide young people in building confidence and a strong sense of identity as they explore new opportunities and challenges.
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To support young people in setting meaningful goals and taking intentional steps toward their future.
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To strengthen communication, teamwork, and decision-making skills in collaborative environments.
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To prepare young people to navigate real-world situations with problem-solving skills and a mindset focused on growth and possibility.
At the SHIELD Mentor Program, we measure success by the transformation we see in young people as they engage in mentorship-driven robotics and STEAM experiences. Many of the young people we serve begin with little to no exposure to robotics, engineering tools, or competitive environments. Through the guidance of mentors, they learn how to safely use tools, build and program robots, and actively participate in team-based challenges. Growth is evident as young people move from uncertainty to confidence, developing the ability to problem-solve, communicate ideas, and contribute meaningfully to a team. We measure how young people apply these skills in real time through building, coding, designing, and collaborating.
We also evaluate how participation opens doors to leadership and new opportunities. Young people who may have never seen themselves in leadership roles begin to take initiative, lead team efforts, and represent their work in competitions and community settings. We track engagement, consistency, skill progression, and the ability to take on increasing responsibility within the team. Feedback from families, mentors, and young people helps us strengthen our approach, while long-term success is reflected in young people who continue to lead, pursue meaningful pathways such as college, trades, military service, or careers, and stay connected to mentorship as former youth participants or volunteers.
OUR MEASUREMENTS
