Become a Mentor

Cool people mentor. Like really cool people who make a difference.

Mentoring at Islands of Brilliance

Inspire Creativity. Empower Neurodivergent Youth. Grow Together.

At Islands of Brilliance (IOB), the student–mentor relationship is at the heart of our mission. When you bring your creativity and compassion to the table, you help autistic and other neurodivergent students thrive while gaining meaningful personal and professional growth in return.

What Do Mentors Do?

Collaborate One-on-One: Work directly with students to bring their ideas to life, from initial sketches to final designs.

Guide the Creative Process: Support students in exploring their interests through digital tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Procreate, or Blender.

Foster Growth: Encourage not just artistic skills but also confidence, communication, and independence.

**You get to help someone… cultivate creativity through genuine, positive interactions… and make real connections.**

**– Mich, mentor and graduate student at UWM**

Mentor Requirements

Creative Experience: Familiarity with design software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Procreate, or Blender. You might be wondering how familiar? Learn more here!

Empathy & Patience: A big heart and a willingness to support diverse learning styles.

Commitment: Availability for workshop series (typically 4 sessions, 90 minutes each).

Open to Learning: No prior experience with neurodivergent individuals required; special education professionals provide guidance during sessions.

Benefits of Mentoring

Meaningful Impact: Play a pivotal role in a student’s creative and personal development.

Personal Growth: Enhance your own creativity, leadership, and communication skills.

Community Connection: Join a network of like-minded creatives and professionals.

Stipend Provided: Receive a $100 stipend for each completed Foundation Workshop series as a token of appreciation.

**Volunteering with IOB has been as much a learning experience for me as for the students… I can only hope my contributions equal what I’ve received.**

– **Ethan, mentor and Art Director at Margle Media**

Ready to Make a Difference?

Join us in creating a supportive space where creativity thrives. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a passionate student, your unique perspective can light the way for our students. Getting involved as a Mentor or Volunteer is easy! Just fill out our contact form and we will connect with you to learn about your skills, interests, and goals.

Have questions? Visit our Mentor FAQs or Contact Us.

Check out what it is like to be a first-time mentor in this blog.

Mentor Experiences

“Volunteering with Islands of Brilliance has been a learning experience for me as much as it has for the students I’ve worked with. It pushed me out of my comfort zone (and my cubicle), and partnered me with amazing, talented children. I can only hope my contributions to the program equal what I’ve received from it.”

“I always love volunteering with IOB and am grateful I could continue via Zoom from the other side of the country. 🙂

“There is a sense of fearlessness that these kids bring. Once they dig into something that they get excited about, it’s ON! And then it gets exciting!”

FAQs

If you're reading this, you may have questions about being a mentor at Islands of Brilliance…here’s a handy-dandy FAQ!

Interested in joining us as a mentor? Getting involved as a Mentor or Volunteer is easy! Just fill out our contact form and we will connect with you.

Questions? Contact Us and let’s chat!

Getting Started

Just fill out our interest form and we’ll be in touch! We’ll schedule a brief conversation to get to know you, learn about your skills and interests, and match you with the right opportunity.
After that, we’ll complete a routine background check, as required by the State of Wisconsin for anyone working with youth. It’s a simple process that helps ensure a safe and supportive environment for everyone.
Yes! All new mentors go through a short orientation to help you feel confident and prepared. You’ll also be supported by our staff and special education professionals throughout your mentoring experience.

Mentor Experience & Support

You don’t have to work full-time in a creative field to be a great IOB mentor. We welcome a range of experience levels…from design students to seasoned professionals. If you’re familiar using creative technologies like Photoshop, Illustrator, Procreate, or Blender, you’re off to a great start! We don’t teach software…we guide students as they bring their ideas to life.
For more information, please check out: What “familiarity with creative software” really means at Islands of Brilliance
We currently offer three Foundation Workshops:
- Illustration & Design – using Procreate, Adobe Photoshop, or Illustrator
- 3D Modeling – using Blender
- Media & Animation – using Procreate, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Express, or Stop Motion Studio
Not sure if you’re “qualified” for Media & Animation? You probably are!
This workshop focuses on simple techniques like frame-by-frame movement, basic GIFs, and short animations…no fancy effects or studio-level skills required. If you’re comfortable in any of the supported programs and open to learning alongside your student, you’ll do great.
You’ll always be matched with a student using the same software you know best…and our team is here to support you every step of the way.
Absolutely! Let’s talk! While 1:1 mentoring might not be the right fit, we’re always looking for passionate volunteers in areas like event support, social media, writing, and more. If you’ve got time and talents to share, we’d love to find a role that fits you.
Yes! Most of our mentors start without any prior experience. Each workshop is led by a Special Education professional who offers support, guidance, and ideas throughout. You’ll never be left on your own, and you might be surprised how quickly the connection happens.
You’re not expected to know everything…your role is to support, not solve. Many students simply want someone to listen, encourage, and help bring their ideas to life. And our team is always here to back you up.
Think of it as two experts coming together to work on a project…your student is the expert in their SpIn, and you’re the expert in the software. It’s all about collaboration!
That’s completely normal. You’re stepping into something meaningful, and it’s okay to feel a little nervous. Just know you’ll be guided and supported every step of the way. We’ve got you.

Time Commitment

Foundation Workshops are offered in three formats:
- Once a week for 4 weeks: 4 sessions × 90 minutes each
- Every day for 1 week: 4 sessions × 90 minutes each
- Two-day intensive: 2 sessions × 4 hours each (includes a lunch break)
We offer both in-person and online workshops to fit the needs and availability of our students and mentors.
Consistency is really important for our students, so we aim to match each student with the same mentor for all sessions in a series.
That said, we know life happens! If you need to miss a session, just let us know as soon as possible so we can arrange a substitute.
Speaking of substitutes…if you’re not available for a full series, we’d love to add you to our mentor sub list! Let us know your availability, and we’ll reach out when opportunities come up that match your schedule.
Yes, and we’d love that! Many mentors return for multiple sessions and grow deeper connections within the IOB community.

Stipends & Volunteer Info

Mentoring is a volunteer role, but we value your time and dedication. That’s why we offer a $100 stipend for each completed Foundation Workshop series. Think of it as a thank-you gift from us to you.

Location & Logistics

Workshops take place at our studio in the historic Eagleknit Building in Milwaukee’s Walker’s Point neighborhood:
📍 507 S. 2nd Street, Milwaukee, WI 53204
There are lots of great coffee shops in the area. And Indeed Brewing Company is right across the street (they even run a pop-up beer garden on our rooftop during the summer)!
We match students and mentors based on shared interests, communication styles, and skillsets. Your student might be into animation, video games, or character design…your job is to help bring those interests to life through creativity, connection, and conversation.

The Mentor Experience

The connection. Watching a student grow in confidence and creativity is incredibly powerful…and often, mentors walk away changed, too. This is more than volunteering. It’s community.