What is Mentoring | Mentoring Organizations | Mentoring Guidelines

Mentoring is a structured and trusting relationship that brings young people together with caring individuals who offer guidance, support and encouragement aimed at developing the competence and character of the mentee. A mentor is an individual who, along with parents, provides a young person with support, counsel, friendship, reinforcement and role modeling. Mentors are good listeners, people who care, people who want to help young people bring out strengths that are already there. A mentor is not a foster parent, therapist, parole officer, or cool peer.

Types of Mentoring Models

• One-on-One or Traditional Mentoring is one adult to one young person
• Group Mentoring is one adult with a group of young people
• Tag Team Mentoring is several adults working with small groups of young people
• Peer mentoring is when youth mentor other youth

Group and team mentoring will allow you to reach more young people with fewer mentors. One-on-One Mentoring is a concentrated strategy that allows the mentor and mentee to develop a personal relationship.

Mentoring Activities

The mentoring relationship is critically important because it assures the mentee they have someone (in addition to their family) who is willing to help them navigate through life’s experiences. Common interactions between mentors and mentees include but are not limited to:

Academic Support

• Mentors help keep students in school
• Mentors help with homework and can improve academic skills
• Mentors encourage life-long learning

Personal Development

• Mentors help young people develop a healthy self- perception
• Mentors help young people define a personal vision for the future
• Mentors are a sounding board – a listening ear
• Mentors cultivate life skills necessary to be a contributing member of our community
• Mentors help young people develop appropriate interpersonal and relationship skills
• Mentors provide teens with a valuable place to spend free time
• Mentors reinforce family values and strong work ethic

Career Exploration

• Mentors help young people set career goals and start taking steps to realize them
• Mentors can use their personal contacts to help young people meet industry professionals, find internships and locate job possibilities
• Mentors introduce young people to professional resources and organizations they may not know about
• Mentors can help their mentees learn how to seek and keep jobs

Cultural Enrichment

• Mentors help young people develop an appreciation for differences
• Mentors promote cultural competency
• Mentors expose students to enriching experiences
• Mentors encourage students to utilize unique gifts and talents

Mentoring Settings

Mentoring can take place almost anywhere. Depending upon the type of program, the organization’s policies, and the extent of your back ground screening, a mentor can engage the mentee in activities in the community, in school, in your work place, or in a faith-based institution.

• In the community
• In schools
• In businesses
• In the faith-based community

Who Should Mentor

An individual chooses to become mentors because he/she feels they have valuable knowledge and life experiences that will benefit young people. All it takes to become a mentor is a caring person, who is committed, responsible and a good listener. LACMM refer prospective Mentors to mentoring organizations and school systems without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disabled or veteran status, or other legally protected status. There are a variety of different types of programs to suit everyone's needs and busy schedules.

Mentor's Role

A mentor devotes his/her time to helping a young person (mentee) discover their strengths, nurture their potential, and achieve their individual goals. The Mentor’s primary objective is to cultivate a healthy, sustained relationship that promotes positive self-perception, strong work ethic, academic excellence, good decision making, and life long learning. Mentors, much like teachers, pastors, and coaches are supportive stakeholders that work in partnership with the parents and guardians to reiterating positive values, culture, and heritage.

Background Checks

Each mentoring organization has their own governing policies and procedures they expect prospective mentors to adhere to. As a result, an organization may or may not require applicants to complete a background check prior to their placement. It is important to note that by allowing an organization to procure a background investigation, you understand it will include information from various federal, state and other agencies that maintain records concerning your past criminal history.