Blackburn Mentoring works with families in Dayton, Kettering, Oakwood, Centerville and Beavercreek by video. One dedicated mentor meets with each student or young adult weekly or more often, in Eastern time, and stays reachable by text and phone between sessions. We are based in Los Angeles; Dayton clients work with us online.
An aviation town with a practical streak
Dayton is the home of the Wright brothers, and aviation still runs through the region. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is one of the largest employers in Ohio, and it brings engineers, contractors, civilians and military families to Beavercreek, Fairborn and the surrounding towns. Health care systems, manufacturing and logistics along I-70 and I-75 round out the job market.
Mentoring here is practical: clear goals, weekly steps and honest follow-up that families can see.
Military and defense families
Families connected to the base may move every few years, and a teenager can change schools more than once before graduation. A mentor who meets by video does not change when the family does. The same person, at the same weekly time, can follow a student from Ohio to the next assignment and help them settle in, make friends and keep school on track.
Paths after high school
Dayton students have a wide range of realistic options, and part of a mentor’s job is to help them look at all of them rather than defaulting to one:
- Four-year college in Ohio or out of state.
- Starting at a community college and transferring later. See starting at community college.
- Skilled trades, apprenticeships and technical programs tied to manufacturing and aviation.
- Military service, or civilian work in defense and engineering.
- A structured gap year with work and a clear plan.
A mentor does not choose for the student. They help gather information, set up conversations with people in each field, and build a timeline.
Rebuilding a routine
Some young adults in the Miami Valley stall after high school or college: working part-time, living at home and unsure what comes next. The fix is rarely dramatic. It starts with a regular wake-up time, a weekly plan and one meaningful goal at a time. Our guide how to get your life together lays out the first steps.
Scheduling from the Miami Valley
Dayton is three hours ahead of Los Angeles. A 4 pm session in Kettering is 1 pm for the mentor, and a 7 pm session for a young adult with a day job is late afternoon in California. Sessions run 30 or 60 minutes, weekly or several times a week, on a weekly or monthly plan. Short text and phone check-ins between sessions keep small problems from turning into lost weeks, and with permission, parents get regular updates on how things are going.
Where a mentor helps
A mentor is a practical guide and accountability partner, not a tutor, therapist or admissions counselor. For high school students, a parent is always part of the process. Families usually start with mentoring for high school students, and young adults with young adult mentoring. How video sessions work is explained on the online mentoring page.
Related
Common questions
Can mentoring continue if we get orders to move?
Yes. Sessions are online, so the same mentor and the same weekly time can continue through a move and at the new duty station.
What times work for Dayton families?
Sessions are scheduled in Eastern time. After-school and early evening slots usually work well.
Do mentors help students who are considering the military or a trade?
Yes. Mentors help students research every path seriously, talk with people already doing the work and make a plan they own.
Is there an in-person option in Ohio?
No. In-person sessions happen only in Los Angeles. Dayton clients work with their mentor by video, with text and phone contact between sessions.
Get started
Wondering whether a mentor makes sense for your family in Dayton? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.