Mentors are caring adults that voluntarily engage in meaningful relationships with young people in need of guidance and encouragement. Some mentors help young people overcome their challenges and develop strategies to live up to their full potential. Mentors may serve to listen and model positive behaviors. Whatever their role, mentors are in great demand because mentoring is a trusted method for helping young people overcome adversity, improve their attitudes, refocus their attention on education and increase their knowledge of the world and the many opportunities available to them.
Step 1
Research what mentoring entails before you sign up. Mentoring puts you in a relationship with a young person who is already facing difficult challenges. Make sure you are ready to commit to the relationship before accepting a match. Ensure that you have the qualities to be a mentor: a good listener, empathy, flexibility, respect for young people and a positive attitude.
Step 2
Investigate the many roles mentors assume in their relationships with young people and decide which role is best for you. Some mentors tutor and others act as advocates. Perhaps your ideal mentoring relationship involves you being a friend who takes a young person to sporting and cultural events. Deciding the role that is best for you will determine the type of mentoring program or organization you choose.
Step 3
Take a self-inventory and list your talents, special knowledge, skills and other capabilities you can share with a young person. Are you a good listener or do you have a good sense of humor? Do you enjoy playing sports or are you a movie buff? Are you a good friend and a good listener? This information will help when it is time to consider how you might help a specific child.
Step 4
Make a commitment, based on your schedule, to spend a set amount of time mentoring. Decide how much time you will spend each month, the age and type of youth you want to mentor, if you are interested in one-on-one or group mentoring, where you would like to volunteer and for how long. Consider the possible expenses related to mentoring and how that might affect your ability to volunteer.
Step 5
Find a mentoring opportunity. Use an online mentor program locator, such as the one listed in the Resources section, or contact the public school system in your area about volunteer opportunities in the schools. Child mental health providers often recruit mentors for children in foster care. Community youth programs recruit volunteers to work with at-risk youth. Several organizations offer online mentoring opportunities that provide more flexibility for mentors.
Step 6
Complete a mentor training class and be prepared to undergo a criminal record check and verification of employment and other personal information. Talk with current mentors to find out what the experience is like.
Step 7
Work with program staff to identify a good match for you as a mentor and arrange to meet the young person. Learn as much as you can about the person and work with program staff to develop a plan based on the young person's needs.
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