Introduction
The past ten years has seen a growth in the Internet (and specifically the World Wide Web) as a communication tool that has never been rivaled by any other medium. The printing press, the telegraph, radio, television… none of them grew into culture-transforming institutions as quickly as the Web. Almost everyday we rely on it for keeping us connected across distances and quickly providing information that would have been obscure, at best, just years ago.

Why Have a Website?
The result of this information explosion is that nonprofits and youth-service agencies can no longer view the Web as something only applicable to commercial businesses or Star Trek fans. In today's world, having a website is as important and necessary as having a phone or a listing in the Yellow Pages. In fact, I'd argue that not having a site often comes across as "unprofessional" in the eyes of many potential volunteers, funders, and community partners.

But having a website is not about keeping up with the status quo. It can be a powerful tool in the development of your organization. For a minimal investment, it can pay off in huge ways for even the smallest mentoring program. A website can help your organization with volunteer recruitment and fundraising. It can be a major factor in creating community partnerships and resource networks. A website can even be a place where mentors and mentees converse, share their stories, and work on projects together. Most of all, a well-done website can provide the most effective and public marketing for your mentoring program, acting as a portal through which people find out about what you are doing and then participate in your efforts to strengthen young people's lives. These days, a website is one of your best tools for ensuring the long-term viability and success of your mentoring program.

This article is meant to be a basic overview of the nuts and bolts of getting your program's website up and running, and brief look at some of the valuable ways your site can help your program succeed.

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