The National Mentoring Partnership, Inc.

MENTOR National had an existing Mentoring Connector platform, however, it was not a good fit as it was not customized to their specific needs. There were a number of pain points with the existing system that made it difficult in various areas such as communication issues with partners and potential mentees. As well as misleading error messages during account creation, zip code database problems that affected search functionality, confusing program application processes that allowed incomplete submissions, and an inquiry management system that inaccurately showed inquiry status. MENTOR US reached out to Orases to replace their existing system with one that was better suited for their needs.

How Orases enhanced volunteer recruitment with streamlined mentoring application workflows

After thorough discovery, Orases designed and developed a completely new Mentoring Connector backend system tailored to MENTOR US’s specific needs. The solution featured custom interfaces for each user type (Affiliates, Programs, and Global Admins), ensuring intuitive navigation and improved operational efficiency. Orases completely rebuilt the search functionality, incorporating accurate geographic data processing that eliminated previous zip code issues which had prevented vital connections between mentors and programs.

The streamlined volunteer pipeline removed barriers that had frustrated potential mentors, directly supporting MENTOR US’s mission to increase mentor recruitment across communities. The new seamless communication channels addressed the disconnects that had previously left inquiries unanswered and opportunities lost. The comprehensive redesign transformed cumbersome processes into smooth workflows that respected users’ time and commitment to mentoring. For an organization dedicated to fostering life-changing relationships between mentors and youth, these improvements weren’t just technical fixes, they were essential to fulfilling MENTOR US’s purpose of connecting more young people with the guidance they need.

Solution features

• Custom dashboards for each user type
• Precise zip code matching
• Intuitive program registration

The updated Mentoring Connector system delivered by Orases transformed MENTOR US’s operational capabilities with measurable improvements across all critical areas. Support requests decreased significantly as users navigated the intuitive interface to manage profiles and respond to volunteer inquiries without technical assistance. Geographic search accuracy improved dramatically with proper zip code handling, enabling successful connections between mentors and programs that were previously impossible.

Application processing efficiency increased through proper field validation and duplicate detection, eliminating the review bottlenecks that had delayed program approvals. The scalable architecture ensures MENTOR US can continue expanding their impact as they grow, adding new functionality without compromising the streamlined experience they now provide to mentors, programs, and administrators alike. In less than two years since launch, the platform has generated nearly 10,000 mentor inquiries, directly supporting MENTOR’s mission to close the mentoring gap.