WHY MENTOR?

 

Mentoring, at its core, reassures an individual that there is someone who cares about them, assures them they are not alone in dealing with day-to-day challenges, and makes them feel like they matter. Research confirms that quality mentoring relationships have powerful positive effects on young people in a variety of personal, academic, and professional situations. Ultimately, mentoring connects individuals to personal growth and development, along with social and economic opportunity. Yet, many people will go without this critical asset.

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What Makes A Good Mentor

 

Before becoming a mentor, here are a few things to understand about the role of a mentor. Mentors assume a variety of different roles during the course of a relationship, and share some basic qualities:

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• Professional

• Excellent Boundaries

• Cultural Awareness and Understanding 

• A passion and desire to have an impact on and in another individual’s life journey

• Respect for those individuals you’re involved with

• Active Listening Skills

• Empathy and Understanding

• Ability to see solutions and opportunities

• Flexibility, Honesty and Integrity

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Impact of Mentoring

 

The process of mentoring is a share opportunity for personal learning, growth and development. Mentor’s are impacted as much as the mentee's and reap the benefits and rewards of those relationships. Mentoring enables both mentee and mentor to:

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• Gain an understanding of other cultures and develop great appreciation for diversity

• To take part in an indiviudual's growth and development

• Improve self - Esteem 

• Improve Independence 

• Learning to have fun 

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As a mentor you are taking an opportunity to enrich not only your life but that of your mentee. Your involvement with help in the establishment of strong communal ties, learning, personal exploration and growth and development. You area critical resource and have the ability to change lives. 

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What does it take to become a mentor?

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• Be at least 21 years of age

• Have at least one-year experience working with teens

• Be able to pass a background check and acquire a level one fingerprint clearance card

• Attend an in-person interview

• Attend initial and on-going trainings

• Be able to commit to a two-year relationship with your mentee

• Be reliable, supportive, understanding, and consistent with your mentee

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