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Q. |
What is a
mentor? |
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A. |
The dictionary’s
definition is a wise and trusted guide and
friend. A mentor is a supportive, caring
adult who serves as a role model and spends
quality time with a young person to make a
positive change in his or her life (not a
tutor or a teacher). |
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Q. |
How are
mentees chosen? |
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A. |
Mentoring
Programs generally serve students in grades
K-12 who can benefit from a positive adult
role model. Requests for mentors may come
from teachers, parents, administrators or
others capable of identifying children who
may lack confidence or self-esteem, or have
other indicators that could interfere with
school success. Many matches begin in
elementary school, and mentees may continue
to receive mentoring services through high
school. |
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Q. |
What are the
program’s goals? |
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A. |
The ultimate
goal is to increase student success and high
school graduation rates by improving the
student’s self-esteem, attitude towards
school, attendance and academic performance. |
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Q. |
How are the
mentor and child matched? |
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A. |
Interest
Inventories are completed by both the mentor
and mentee to assist in the matching
process. Pairs are made based on shared
interests, student need and mentor
availability. |
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Q. |
How much time
does mentoring require? |
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A. |
Time
requirements vary based on the program you
volunteer for: school-based mentoring
programs generally require that mentors meet
with their mentees at school for an hour
each week, at a time and place agreed upon
by the teacher and the mentor.
Community-based mentor programs generally
require a larger time commitment but allow
the flexibility to meet with your mentee
(student) in the community. You can go on
excursions and spend time with him/her on
the weekend or evenings, depending on your
schedule. |
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Q. |
Are the
mentors given any training? |
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A. |
All mentors must
attend an initial orientation/training
session that generally lasts for 2-hours.
Some mentoring programs require additional
training before meeting your mentee. Once
the program is underway, periodic “support
groups" and sometimes teacher meetings are
held for mentors to share ideas, plan
special events, and address specific issues.
Additionally, workshops on topics of
interest to mentors are offered on a regular
basis. |
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Q. |
Will I be
asked to continue with the student after
this school year? |
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A. |
Your commitment
is for just one year but we hope that you
will be able to continue with your mentee.
Some mentors actually continue through high
school graduation! |
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Q. |
Will the
student’s parents be involved at all? |
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A. |
All
parents/guardians are required to give
written permission for their child to
participate in the program. Depending on the
requirements of the mentoring program you
become involved with, parents may also
attend program kick-off events and other
special events. |
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Q. |
Does an hour
a week really help a student? |
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A. |
YES! A study
shows that most kids get about fourteen
minutes of interaction from the adults they
live with on a daily basis. Only about a
minute and a half of that time is positive
interaction, with the rest being
instructions or reprimands. Needless to say,
an hour of undivided attention per week
makes a huge difference in the life of a
child. |
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Q. |
What if we
meet and don’t feel the match is a
comfortable fit? |
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A. |
Our experienced
program coordinators will try to work with
you and your mentee to identify any barriers
or stumbling blocks you may encounter. In
our many years of experience only a handful
of pairs didn’t “click.” Of course, if we
are unable to help you feel more
comfortable, we will make every effort to
match you with a new mentee. |
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Q. |
Is there a
fee associated with being a mentor? |
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A. |
No. Occasionally
mentor programs may ask for your help in
covering any costs associated with your
background check but there are no fees
associated with being a mentor. And the
rewards you will receive are priceless! |
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Q. |
Can I mentor
more than one hour or one student a week? |
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A. |
Absolutely!
Although in school-based programs each child
can only be mentored for one hour per week,
it is possible to mentor another child at a
different time or even volunteer at a
different school or through a different
agency. We recommend starting with one child
and seeing how it goes, before beginning a
relationship with a second student. |
