FAQ

What is FIVE?

The FIVE Network connects talented students to influential and caring mentors from across the country via the safe and secure mobile FIVE app. These mentors will help them develop critical life skills, expose them to a world of work opportunities, expand their personal networks, and serve as a positive presence in their lives.

How does FIVE work?

Each mentee has a dedicated team of five adults: 3 mentors, 1 local OTG (On-the-ground), and 1 online operator. The mentors are professionals from across the country, matched to mentees based on shared interests and work and life experience. They will be the mentee’s primary point of contact, and their role will be to communicate consistently and authentically. The OTG is a FIVE employee who lives in the local community and will have trusted relationships with the schools, churches, athletic organizations, families, and the mentees themselves. This person is also responsible for feeding information into the platform about the mentee that will then help to inform the mentee/mentor conversations. The online operator is also a FIVE employee located in Washington, DC, and is responsible for ensuring that the mentee/mentor communication is monitored. Additionally, FIVE delivers daily content that exposes mentees to world of work opportunities and promotes habits and critical skills for success in work and in life.

What content does FIVE offer?

FIVE delivers content every day, 365 days per year:

MONDAY
(Role) Model It Mondays: Inspirational video featuring positive role models who are their life stories and advice.

TUESDAY
Tell It Tuesdays: Inspirational quote and learning about the author.

WEDNESDAY
World of Work Wednesdays: Video profiling a range of different and intriguing jobs/careers and understanding pathways to them.

THURSDAY
Shout Out Thursdays: Weekly updates on leaderboard status and shout outs on mentee activity.

FRIDAY
FIVE Index: Knowledge sharing and learning of critical life skills concepts

SATURDAY
FIVE 7-Challenges: A 7 day challenge designed to foster positive habit formation

SUNDAY
Check-In Sundays: Opportunity for mentee to share what’s on their minds and complete surveys.

Who are the mentees?

Mentees are high school students that have applied to and been accepted into the FIVE program. Though FIVE partners with schools, districts and organizations to recruit mentees, FIVE applicants may attend any school. Click the "Apply to FIVE" tab for information on joining FIVE as a mentee. Apply to FIVE

Who are the mentors?

Mentors are professionals representing a wide range of industries that are recruited from across the country through partnerships with corporations and organizations. They undergo rigorous background checks before they are matched with mentees. Click the "Safety & Security" tab for information on the measures we take to ensure a safe and positive experience for all mentees. Apply to FIVE

What is the time commitment?

FIVE expects mentees to engage in the FIVE app for 3 to 5 minutes per day. Students receive daily content that is fun and easy to digest, while communications with mentors are as simple as a text or video message.

FIVE expects mentors to engage in the FIVE app approximately 15 minutes on a weekly basis, but mentors may communicate with mentees on a daily basis as desired.

How long is the FIVE program?

The FIVE mentoring program is a five year commitment, beginning in 9th grade and extending one year post graduation.

Does FIVE conflict with school work?

FIVE is not a school program and designed not to conflict with school work. Mentees receive content and communications before and after school, as well as on the weekends, so that notifications fall outside of schools hours. Additionally, FIVE expects mentees to be in the FIVE app only 3-5 minutes per day, an amount of time that can be manageable around homework, extracurricular and family responsibilities.

What does it cost?

The FIVE program is free to students, parents and schools. This is provided at no cost thanks to corporate and organizational partners who are invested in nurturing a diverse and talented future workforce.

How does FIVE ensure safety?

FIVE has taken every measure possible in the application process and within the platform itself to ensure a safe and positive experience for young people engaged in our program.

Before any mentor engages with a young person, he or she undergoes a full federal and state background check. Only then can that adult enter the FIVE network.

All communications are monitored and flagged by the platform according to key words, as well as by two FIVE staff members who are a part of every mentee’s team. These individuals can view all of the texts, photos, and videos to ensure they are safe and appropriate. At any point during a communication, mentees and mentors may signal an alert and halt communications, allowing FIVE team members to intercede as needed. Mentees’ teams abide by mandatory reporting laws, and should a serious issue arise related to a mentoring relationship or individuals student, the FIVE OTG will be in touch with the appropriate agency as well as the school’s point of contact.

FIVE Code of Conduct

To cultivate a safe, healthy and respectful FIVE community, all mentors and mentees agree to the FIVE Code of Conduct and participate in extensive training on the role of FIVE mentors, the nature of professional relationships and networks, and how to communicate appropriately and effectively in this context.

FIVE Code of Conduct:

The FIVE Network is a vibrant and diverse community of mentees and mentors spanning different ages from many different geographies, cultures, races, skin colors, religions, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, life experiences, career choices and financial means. The FIVE Network expands networks, relationships and opportunities.

At the core of our values is the belief that respect of oneself, others and differences allow everyone to build strong and productive relationships in healthy, safe and respectful ways. These principles should guide all FIVE behaviors and all FIVE communications between mentors and mentees. Behaviors or communications that defame or victimize any group or individual or that otherwise express vulgarity, profanity, hatred, bigotry or racism in any manner will result in immediate action and have serious consequences. We never want anything to erode the strength of the FIVE community.

FIVE participants are expected to act lawfully, honestly, ethically, and in the best interests of ensuring the safety of the FIVE community. In addition to upholding this code of conduct, FIVE participants are subject to all applicable local, state, and federal laws.

Privacy Policy

During the application process, FIVE collects basic information including name, city and state of residence, email, cell phone numbers, school, and interests, which FIVE uses in the mentee-mentor matching process. Click here to read our full Privacy Policy.

FIVE and Social Media

In order to maintain a safe space for all FIVE participants, mentees and mentors may not share FIVE content on social media or chat with the team outside of the FIVE platform.

I am a high school student. Can I apply to FIVE?

FIVE aims to attract a wide range of students for our mentoring program. The primary quality we’re looking for is for mentees to show real interest in connecting with and learning from their mentors.

That said, there are a couple of qualifications: 1) students must be in 9th Grade for the 2019-20 school year, and 2) students must be 14 years old to apply via the online application. With parent permission, FIVE can make exceptions for students who turn 14 later in their 9th grade year.

Because FIVE expects students to engage independently in the platform content and mentoring experience, our program is not a good match for students with significant learning differences or emotional or behavioral challenges.

What is the application timeline?

The FIVE Mentee Application is currently open for the 2019-20 school year, and the deadline is in November, 2019. Students will be notified of acceptance by and will begin the program in November. Click here to begin the FIVE Application.

I would like to be a mentor. Can I apply?

The FIVE Application for mentors is coming soon! If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please contact rob@thefivenetwork.com.

Does a student have to attend a certain school in order to participate in FIVE?

Students from ANY school may apply to FIVE. That said, FIVE does partner with schools, districts, and organizations to recruit mentees.

I would like my school, district, or community organization to partner with FIVE. What should I do?

We can’t wait to add you to our network! Contact Robin Baker, Director of National Partnerships, at 202-905-6192 or robin@thefivenetwork.com.

What does the FIVE app cost?

The FIVE app is free for download, and participation in the program is free to students, parents and schools. We are able to offer this at no cost thanks to corporate and organizational partners who are invested in nurturing a diverse and talented future workforce.

Does my cell phone support the app?

The FIVE application is designed to function in the most popular mobile devices and operating systems like Android and iOS.

If you have any trouble installing the app on your phone please email apps@thefivenetwork.com.

I don’t have a cell phone. Can I use my computer to login into FIVE?

Yes, you can access FIVE on your computer by visiting app.thefivenetwork.net.

Can’t login?

  1. Check your connection and make sure you have a working WiFi or mobile data connection.
  2. Click on the “Forgot Password” button and try to reset your password.
  3. If your credentials are wrong, please contact apps@thefivenetwork.com.

Didn't receive the "Forgot Password" email?

  1. Check that your email is the correct one.
  2. Check the spam folder of your inbox.
  3. Tap on the “Resend Email” option.
  4. Contact apps@thefivenetwork.com.

Content doesn't load properly?

  1. Check your internet connection.
  2. Change to another section of the app and try again.
  3. Logout and login again.

Can’t complete a challenge?

  1. Check if your connection was lost during the submission of the challenge.
  2. If an error appears, please contact: apps@thefivenetwork.com.

Can’t upload images or videos?

  1. Check if the file format and the size are allowed.
  2. Check if your connection was lost during the upload.

Can’t chat with Team members?

  1. Check your connection.
  2. Logout and login, then try again.

Not receiving notifications?

Check your phone settings to allow notifications for FIVE app.

How can I change my Interests info?

Go to Your Profile section -> View and Edit -> Edit interests

I moved to another city. How can I change the City and School Information?

Please contact your Operator or OTG.

If your question isn’t answered here:

  1. Contact your Operator or OTG
  2. Contact apps@thefivenetwork.com.

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