ASPIRE Program
Encouraging Higher Education for Everyone!
You may or may not know what you want to do after high school. Whatever your career and education goals are, ASPIRE is here to help you get to where you want to go.
Students are matched with volunteers who can help them with the following:
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Explore college and career options
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Scholarship and Financial Aid
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College/Job Application
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Essay Writing/Resume Building
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College Choice Selection
If you are a student interested in being paired with a volunteer mentor or an individual from the community interested in becoming a volunteer mentor, please contact the Program Coordinator, Alysanne Bresko, for more information:
Become a Mentor
As an ASPIRE mentor, you will play a unique role in the life of a student as you help guide and assist them in pursuing education and training beyond high school. If you are a parent or an individual from the community interested in becoming a volunteer mentor, please contact the Program Coordinator, Alysanne Bresko, for more information.
Volunteer and help make a difference in the lives of students!
ASPIRE (Access to Student Assistance Programs In Reach of Everyone) is a volunteer-based program that connects students with mentors from the community. Mentors will meet with students to discuss plans, set goals, and build a relationship that enriches the process of pursuing postsecondary education, training, or workforce support.
ASPIRE volunteers have the opportunity to walk this journey with their partnered students and share not only their struggles and decisions but also their joy and excitement. The encouragement from caring, committed, and trusted adults can be a prime factor in determining whether a student will pursue post-secondary education. It is a truly rewarding experience for all involved.
Mentoring students fosters their interest in education/training beyond high school, improves classroom attendance, increases academic performance, and gives students hope for their future. Successful mentors are interested in working with youth, reliable, and consistent. Follow the program OSAC ASPIRE page to learn even more!
Our AWESOME Volunteer Mentors For 2024 - 2025 School Year.
Mary Ann Bugni, Bret Richards, Steven Davies, Charlie Johnson, Laura Gunderson, Kalika Stanton, Caryn Ackerman
ASPIRE Mission Statement The ASPIRE program helps educate Oregon Students to become career and college-ready. ASPIRE offers education, resources, and mentoring opportunities for all students. Student supports include one-on-one and group mentoring, activities or events that focus on career exploration, career and college research, admissions applications, scholarships, and financial aid.
- Getting Started as an ASPIRE Mentor
- Mentor Trainings and Webinars
- ASPIRE Mentor Student Safety Expectations
Getting Started as an ASPIRE Mentor
We are so excited you are interested in volunteering as an ASPIRE Mentor.
Roles and Responsibilities ASPIRE Coordinators and Mentors are the heart and soul of the ASPIRE Program. Your drive and passion to help support students as they explore career and college pathways and plan for their future is key to their success.
Step 1: Please complete the Volunteer Application and Background Verification page and email it to Alysanne Bresko at breskoa@estacada.k12.or.us or bring it to the high school.
Step 2: Visit the ASPIRE Mentor page and watch the ASPIRE Mentor Training Video.
Step 3: Come to the EHS College and Career Room for in-person training.
Step 3: Attend the annual ASPIRE Fall Conference. (Not required but strongly encouraged.)
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October 16th at UO in Eugene. (Save the date!)
Safety Expectations
Mentor Trainings and Webinars
2024 ASPIRE Fall Conference
This year, we will be hosting two events. Both events will run from 9 am-4 pm, with doors opening at 8 am, and we will have a similar schedule of workshops for each event. This year, our events will be:
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October 16th at UO in Eugene
ASPIRE Connections Webinars
These webinars are geared toward ASPIRE coordinators and ASPIRE mentors who assist students and adult learners with career and college plans. You don't need to register; you can click on the links below.
FAFSA & ORSAA: 2025-26 Applications- Understanding FAFSA & ORSAA, updates and general expectations on 2025-26 application, FSA ID, supporting mixed-status families, and students with special circumstances. (HS)
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Tuesday, October 22, from 9 AM - 10 AM. Click this link to join.
OSAC Scholarship Application- Overview of the application, including pro tips for searching, examples of searches, how to add to the application, early bird deadline, appeals process, and awarding expectations. (HS)
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Thursday, November 14, from 9 AM - 10 AM. Click this link to join.
Senior Next Steps: What happens after a student is accepted to college- This webinar is for ASPIRE Coordinators, Counselors, and Mentors to learn how to support students after they receive their admissions acceptance letters. Students often need clarification about what important steps they need to take to help them finalize their college decision and ensure they are ready for the fall. Whether students have been accepted at private/public universities or community colleges, learn the critical next steps for seniors so you can help them successfully reach their college dreams.
Presenter: Tania Sanchez, Associate Director of Multicultural Recruitment and Outreach and Special Assistant to the Vice President
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Tuesday, March 18, from 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM. Click this link to join. Meeting ID: 982 8452 3164
ASPIRE Mentor Student Safety Expectations
ASPIRE Mentor Student Safety Expectations
Each ASPIRE Site will have mentor expectations and guidelines to help keep students safe. ASPIRE asks that:
• Mentors and students should meet on-site, during operating hours, and in the presence of paid site staff, unless safety protocols are discussed and in place for other mentor and student connections (virtual meetings, off-site, etc.)
• Mentors may not transport students in personal vehicles.
• Mentors should avoid conflicts of interest. Examples: Promoting personal, religious, or political beliefs, selling services or products to students, etc. Mandatory Reporting All community mentors working with Oregon youth are considered mandatory reporters; cases of suspected child abuse and neglect must be reported. For additional information see the Oregon Department of Human Services website. To report suspicions of child abuse or neglect to authorities call the abuse hotline at 855-503-SAFE (7233). Confidentiality Confidentiality is the preservation of any privileged information concerning students that is disclosed in a professional working relationship. The volunteer ASPIRE mentor will keep the communication with his/her student confidential. All records dealing with specific students must be treated as confidential and be maintained according to site policy. ASPIRE mentors will not discuss students’ confidential information with anyone other than the ASPIRE site coordinator.
Mandatory Reporting
All community mentors working with Oregon youth are considered mandatory reporters; cases of suspected child abuse and neglect must be reported. For additional information see the Oregon Department of Human Services website. To report suspicions of child abuse or neglect to authorities call the abuse hotline at 855-503-SAFE (7233). Confidentiality Confidentiality is the preservation of any privileged information concerning students that is disclosed in a professional working relationship. The volunteer ASPIRE mentor will keep the communication with his/her student confidential. All records dealing with specific students must be treated as confidential and be maintained according to site policy. ASPIRE mentors will not discuss students’ confidential information with anyone other than the ASPIRE site coordinator.