Transcript HOW TO KEEP YOUR MENTORS MENTORING FOR LIFE

HOW TO KEEP
YOUR MENTORS
MENTORING FOR LIFE!
Presented by Kathy Witkowicki,
Founder & Executive Director
Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance
Welcome!
• Introductions
• Talking Points:
• Who is in the room?
• What do you hope to take away from today’s
workshop?
Understand the Situation
Mentor Centers
• Provide a ‘home’ for the program
• Each Center is staffed with a Facilitator who oversees
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all matches at that site.
Examples of activities available in these Centers
include Art Projects, Board Games, Puzzles,
Computer-Technology area, Study areas, Science area,
Reading area, College & Career area, Sports
Equipment, Pool Tables, Air Hockey, Foosball Tables,
etc.
Mentor Program Staff
• Communication is key - hire only people-persons to
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oversee mentoring
Acts as the ‘liaison’ between the mentor and the child,
their parent, their teacher, their counselor, etc.
Manages the mentor-mentee meeting schedule
Provides on-going communication with mentor
Offers additional resources as needed to help keep
the relationship intact and on-going
Recruitment Techniques
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Billboards
Coffee cup sleeves
E-Blasts / E-Newsletters
Newspaper Ads / Inserts
Cinema Ads
Public Transportation – advertising on buses
Car Magnets / Bumper Stickers
Public Service Announcements on local TV & Radio
Stations
Brochures / Posters
Recruitment Post Cards
Video
Church Bulletins
Grocery Carts
Press Releases / Letters to the Editor / Guest Editorials
Mentor T-Shirts
Welcome Wagon
Making Matches
• Be selective - a long-term commitment up-front is key
• Mentors complete the application process, reference
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checks, fingerprinting, and a 4 hour initial orientation
Mentors undergo one-on-one personal interview with
staff
This is the time to ask the tough questions…what kind
of child does this person see themselves being
matched with
Consider preferences for age, gender, location,
ethnicity, socio-economic conditions, family
background issues, etc.
Best matches are based on MUTUAL INTERESTS
Break-Out Session
Topic: What are some of the
reasons mentoring relationships
end prematurely?
What are some possible
interventions, strategies or
solutions that can help solve the
problem?
On-Going Education for Mentors
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Annual Mentor Forums
Motivational & Inspirational Speakers
Classes that address Cultural Diversity Issues
Author Seminars
Monthly or Quarterly Roundtable Workshops
Support Groups that address specific topics:
• Mentors who have no children of their own
• Mentors dealing with sexually-active teens
• Mentors of kids with gang involvement
Counseling & Support Groups
• Partnering with the Counseling Dept. at a nearby college or
university is a great resource for securing free or greatly
reduced counseling services for mentors & mentees
• In order to ‘stay the course,’ mentors need professional
assistance when they are faced with road blocks that threaten
to end the relationship
• Support Groups facilitated by a Counselor or Therapist are a
great way to offer guidance to a group of mentors facing similar
issues with their mentees (substance abuse, gang involvement,
eating disorders, cutting, etc.)
• Monthly staff meetings with a Counselor or Social Worker is
beneficial for your program as a whole
MENTEE Training
• Your mentees need to understand the role they play
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in the mentor-mentee relationship
Each group meets once a week for 4 weeks
We provide this during lunch (over pizza) with small
groups of kids who are similar in grade/age
The training includes a segment on manners,
responsibility for showing up, communication, and
gratitude/appreciation
Kids leave with a better understanding of what to
expect (and what NOT to expect) from a mentor
The Care & Feeding of
Mentees
Social Events for Mentors
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Annual or Semi-annual Mentor Mixers
Mentor Recruitment Events (bring a friend)
Fun-raisers, Friend-raisers & Fund-raisers
Opportunities to volunteer at functions that
benefit the program
Enrichment Activities
• Offer extra-curricular opportunities, field trips &
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social events for Mentors & Mentees that are
scheduled after school & on weekends, as well as
during summer
According to surveys, participation in off-campus
activities strengthens the bond of friendship between
mentors & mentees, leading to longer relationships
See hand-out for a list of suggested activities…
Social Events for Mentors,
Parents & Kids
• These type of events are meant to provide an
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opportunity for parents & mentors to socialize,
and get to know each other better
They always include food (potluck is an option) &
entertainment (sometimes our mentees perform)
These are paid for by the program, so there is no
cost for program participants or their families to
attend
Empowerment Opportunities
• Offer funders an opportunity to donate to this specific
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cause
Allows mentees a chance to find what they are passionate
about when it comes to activities, sports, hobbies and
skills that are available outside the classroom
Helps put children on a more level playing field with their
peers when they can get scholarships to participate in feebased activities (music, art, drama, sports, summer
camps, fitness programs, etc.)
A way to benefit the WHOLE child
Studies show that over time, children who participate and
excel in extra-curricular activities will show increased
gains in their academic performance as well
Community Service
• Mentees need a place to give back, and be on the
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GIVING side of services
Organize opportunities for Mentors & Mentees to
participate in activities that help provide for those
in the under-served communities:
• Nursing Homes for the elderly
• Children’s Home for foster care kids
• Pet Shelters
• The Troops in the Armed Services
Scholarship Awards &
College Support
• Our goal is not just to get children to graduate from high school
against all odds, but to get them TO and THROUGH some form of
higher education as well (College, University, Junior College,
Community College, Trade School, Certificated Program, etc.)
• Fundraising for Scholarship Awards/Naming Rights/Memorial
Scholarships
• The importance of working with a College Success Coordinator
who can offer mentees assistance with college applications,
scholarship applications, applying for FAFSA/Financial Aid,
writing college essays, campus tours, class registration, and
transportation.
Community Partnerships &
Collaborations
• The way to offer SO MUCH opportunity with SO
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LITTLE funding is to form partnerships within your
community
Since ‘relationships’ are at the heart of every
donation, this requires the RIGHT person to advocate
on your behalf
Collaborate with other non-profits that offer services
that would be beneficial to your program
participants
Never pay for anything that you can get for free or
greatly discounted!
See hand-out for examples…
Thank You!
Thank you for attending, and here is my contact info:
Kathy Witkowicki, Executive Director
Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance
707-938-1990
[email protected]
Website:
www.sonomamentoring.org