Press release

September 22, 2026, No. 146

"I give an hour—and get so much in return"

Family mentors support families in their daily lives—volunteer work done with heart and professional guidance

Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen District. Sometimes, just one or two hours a week can make a big difference for a family. This is exactly where the family mentors in the Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen district come in. They give their time, attention, and a much-needed break—and in doing so, they experience firsthand just how rewarding this volunteer work can be.

Why do people become family mentors? The best way to describe this is through the words of someone who has taken on this role themselves:

“Once a week, I visit a family and spend time with their oldest son (age 6). It’s not a dramatic story, not an emergency: just a perfectly ordinary family facing a perfectly ordinary challenge. And that’s exactly what makes it so wonderful for me. Every week, I realize that these two hours make a difference—for the family and for me.”

Family mentors support families during challenging life stages and give them time in their daily lives. The commitments are intentionally kept manageable: Volunteers typically spend time with a family about once a week over a period of about one year. This allows a reliable relationship to develop without the volunteer work overwhelming their own daily lives.

The volunteers are never left to fend for themselves. At each location, an educational specialist serves as the site coordinator, guiding the family mentors from the very beginning, answering their questions, and providing support throughout their assignment. Regular get-togethers also provide an opportunity to share experiences, offer each other encouragement, and gain new inspiration for their volunteer work.

All interested individuals will be prepared for their role through a free training program consisting of six practical modules. No specific prior knowledge is required. An open mind, reliability, and a love of interacting with families are all that’s needed to become a family mentor.

Anyone interested in volunteering or who would like to learn more with no obligation can contact the office at any time to ask any questions they may have.

Interested or have questions?

Family Support Office, Department of Youth and Family Affairs, Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen District Office – Email: familienfoerderung@lra-toelz.de. Find nearby locations at www.lra-toelz.de.

Sabine Schmid
Press spokeswoman
Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen District Office