|
Mentors normally commit to 4 hours per month (meeting times based on mentor/mentee schedule or program schedule) for one year. Tutors normally meet one hour per week, September through May. The Mentoring Center encourages both mentors and tutors to focus on building their relationship with their young person. Research shows that expanding caring and trust is the basis for many other gains-including academic skills, self-confidence, decision-making and more!
All mentors and tutors are required to attend the Making of a Mentor /Relationship Building training.(Tutors may attend Tutoring Tips/Learning Styles as an alternative.) A certified training certificate (6 hours of training plus positive background check result) is available and required for some mentor programs.
A caring, unrelated adult or older youth who builds a relationship of trust and commitment with a younger, less experienced person. The relationship is designed to enhance the young person's attitudes, skills and behaviors.
A tutor or academic mentor focuses on academics as well as developing a positive relationship with a child or youth.
Community mentors meet their mentee at times and places they agree on-often, the mentor may drive them to a movie, park or community festival, or they may meet at the mentor's home to play sports, make cookies or do a craft. (Mentors may need to provide proof of automobile insurance and complete a driving record check).
Mentors meet their mentee at the young person's school or community center. Activities may include helping with homework or other academics, reading, playing games, doing crafts, participating in a discussion or enrichment activity.
Volunteers may choose morning, afternoon, evening, or weekend times to meet with a young person.
- In-school programs normally need volunteers between 8:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M.
- After-school programs seek mentors for one hour or more between 3:00-6:00 P.M.
- Community-based mentors meet at times/places that fit the schedule of both mentor and mentee.
You may want to ask yourself: What age group would I like to work with? Would I prefer one-on one or working with a small group? Do I prefer to volunteer on-site at a school or community center or do I prefer to be able to drive a young person to activities we do together-or just hang out or wash my car together at my home?
Volunteers may choose to work with elementary school children, ages 6-11; middle school youth, ages 12-14; high school youth, ages 14-17, or young adults, ages 18 and up.
High school youth 16 years and older may serve as a mentor/tutor for an elementary child. Most programs require a mentor to be 18 years or older to be a community-based mentor.
- Developmental-increasing a young person's caring, competence and confidence
- Cultural (Hispanic, Black, Somali, Russian),
- Faith-Based
- Career-Based/College Prep
- Gender-Based-Focus on either girls or boys
- Small Group
- Teen Mom
- Prevention of drug & alcohol use
- Health-focused
- School Subject:-focused-- Math, Science, Reading, Writing
- Sports/Athletics
- Adult-to-Adult-typically for job placement, development of a particular skill or corporate advancement
Volunteers may choose to mentor/tutor near home or work. The Mentoring Center can suggest opportunities on all sides of town and in surrounding areas. |
