Question 1

What is Sunday Sentinels™?

Accepted Answer

Sunday Sentinels™ is a community-based mentorship platform that connects college students in Charleston, SC with local families (Sentinels) who open their homes one evening per week — primarily for a Sunday meal — and provide a steady, supportive presence throughout the freshman year.

Question 2

Is Sunday Sentinels™ affiliated with or approved by any college or university?

Accepted Answer

No. Sunday Sentinels™ is an independent organization. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by The College of Charleston, Charleston Southern University, or any other institution. It operates at arm's length to provide impartial opportunities for students to find appropriate mentors.

Question 3

Which schools do you currently serve?

Accepted Answer

We currently serve students attending The College of Charleston and Charleston Southern University in Charleston, SC.

Question 4

How is Sunday Sentinels™ different from a tutoring service?

Accepted Answer

Sunday Sentinels™ is not an academic tutoring service. It's a holistic mentorship program centered around community, belonging, and life skills. Sentinels provide home-cooked Sunday meals, a safe space, and real-world guidance — addressing the emotional and social challenges that lead many students to drop out.

Question 5

Who is eligible to apply as a Student?

Accepted Answer

Any college student attending The College of Charleston or Charleston Southern University is welcome to apply. The program is designed for students in their first year of college.

Question 6

What does a Student receive from the program?

Accepted Answer

Students receive a weekly home-cooked Sunday meal, a trusted adult mentor, a safe and welcoming home environment, and ongoing support throughout the school year. Sentinels also provide weekly feedback to parents or guardians.

Question 7

How are Students matched with a Sentinel?

Accepted Answer

Our AI-powered matching system considers a range of compatibility factors including career interests, demographics, lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. Students can also browse Sentinel profiles and indicate preferences before a final match is made.

Question 8

Is there a fee for Students to join?

Accepted Answer

Yes. There is a $29.95 application fee that covers a basic background check run by Checkr, our trusted screening partner. Students also pay a monthly mentorship fee set by their Sentinel (up to $400/month), with a 15% platform transaction fee applied.

Question 9

What background check is required for Students?

Accepted Answer

All Students must consent to and pass a background check through Checkr. This helps ensure the safety of all participants in the program.

Question 10

Can a Student request a different Sentinel?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If a match isn't the right fit, Students can indicate this through the platform and be rematched. The safety and comfort of the Student is a top priority.

Question 11

Who can become a Sentinel?

Accepted Answer

Sentinels must be at least 40 years old, live within 15 miles of a partner campus, have resided at their current address for at least 6 years, and pass an extensive background check. They must also be able to provide a healthy home-cooked Sunday meal and a safe space.

Question 12

How much time does being a Sentinel require?

Accepted Answer

The primary commitment is one Sunday evening per week — hosting a meal and being present for up to 4 students. Sentinels also provide a brief weekly feedback report to each student's parents or guardians. It's approximately 2–4 hours per week.

Question 13

How do Sentinels get paid?

Accepted Answer

Sentinels set their own monthly fee (up to $400/month). Payments are processed securely through the Sunday Sentinels™ platform, with a 15% transaction fee deducted. Payouts are made on a regular basis.

Question 14

Is there a fee to apply as a Sentinel?

Accepted Answer

Yes. There is a $149 application fee that covers a comprehensive background check through Checkr. This fee is non-refundable.

Question 15

What does the background check cover?

Accepted Answer

The background check is run by Checkr, a leading background screening company. It includes criminal history, sex offender registry checks, and other relevant screenings to ensure the safety of all Students in the program.

Question 16

Can a Sentinel decline a match?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sentinels review connection requests from Students and can accept or decline them. Sentinels are never obligated to accept a match that doesn't feel right.

Question 17

What if a Sentinel needs to end the relationship?

Accepted Answer

Either party can end a connection through the platform. The platform team is available to mediate any concerns, and dispute resolution tools are built into the system.

Question 18

Why do I need $300,000 in personal liability insurance?

Accepted Answer

Sunday Sentinels™ operates much like a professional home-hosting platform — similar in spirit to Airbnb, but with a much higher duty of care because we work with young adults, including students who may be under 18. When you welcome a Student into your home — even for a Sunday dinner — you are legally and morally responsible for their safety while on your property.

A $300,000 personal liability policy on your homeowner's or renter's insurance is the minimum coverage we require for three key reasons:

1. Protection for you: If a Student is injured in your home — a slip, an allergic reaction, or any accident — your liability coverage is what protects your personal assets from a lawsuit. Without adequate coverage, you could be personally exposed.

2. Protection for the Student and their family: Parents entrusting their child to your care deserve to know that if something goes wrong, there is a financial safety net in place.

3. Platform integrity: Sunday Sentinels™ requires all Sentinels to carry verified coverage as a condition of participation. We review your Certificate of Insurance (COI) before your profile goes live. This is non-negotiable — not because we expect the worst, but because responsible hosting demands it.

Most standard homeowner's and renter's insurance policies already include $100,000–$300,000 in personal liability. A simple call to your insurer can often upgrade your coverage for a modest annual increase. If you need help finding appropriate coverage, contact us and we can connect you with a local broker.

Question 19

What payment methods are accepted?

Accepted Answer

All payments are processed securely through Stripe. Major credit and debit cards are accepted.

Question 20

What is the $149 application fee for?

Accepted Answer

The application fee covers the cost of a background check run by Checkr for all applicants (Sentinels and Students). The Sentinel fee is $149 for an extensive background check; the Student fee is $29.95 for a basic background check. These fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the background check or application review.

Question 21

What is the 15% transaction fee?

Accepted Answer

Sunday Sentinels™ charges a 15% platform fee on each monthly mentorship payment. This fee covers platform maintenance, matching services, payment processing, safety monitoring, and ongoing support.

Question 22

Are refunds available?

Accepted Answer

The application fee ($149 for Sentinels, $29.95 for Students) is non-refundable. Monthly mentorship fees may be subject to refund in exceptional circumstances — please contact support for specific cases.

Question 23

How does Sunday Sentinels™ ensure the safety of Students?

Accepted Answer

Safety is our top priority. All Sentinels must pass a comprehensive Checkr background check, and Students must confirm they have no criminal record. The platform includes safety reporting tools, an emergency alert system, parent/guardian dashboards with weekly reports, and an admin team that monitors flagged concerns.

Question 24

Can parents or guardians monitor the program?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Parents and guardians have their own dedicated dashboard where they can view weekly reports submitted by the Sentinel, track their student's happiness and engagement ratings, receive flagged concern alerts, message the Sentinel directly, and approve meeting locations.

Question 25

What happens if I have a safety concern?

Accepted Answer

You can submit an anonymous safety report at any time through the platform. For emergencies, use the Emergency Alert feature to immediately notify the platform's safety team. All safety reports are reviewed by our admin team.

Question 26

Are meetings between Students and Sentinels monitored?

Accepted Answer

First meetings and new meeting locations must be approved by the Student's parent or guardian through the platform. Sentinels submit weekly reports after each Sunday meal, and any concerns can be flagged for immediate admin review.

Frequently Asked Questions

General

For Students

For Sentinels

Payments & Fees

Safety

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