Tutor Mentor FAQ:
1.What is my time commitment?
Commit to spend one-on-one time with the child for 2 hours per week (8 hours per month) for 1 Year. We work with school age children ages 5-18 years.
- What are the requirements to become a mentor?
- 21 years of age
- High school diploma
- Reliable transportation
- Valid driver’s license and proof of vehicle insurance
- Complete a background check
- Who am I supposed to be for my mentee?
Tutor/Mentors work on a variety of projects with ‘their mentee’ during their assignment, depending on the needs assessed by Caregivers and Case Managers. We are proud to say that last year with over 200 tutor/mentor volunteers, we measured an 95% improvement in the grades of the children in our program. Additionally, we observed a rise in self-esteem and none of our children ran away while matched with a caring adult mentor.
You Are…
- …a friend.
- …a role model.
- …a confidant.
- …a nurturer of possibilities.
- …a willing listener.
- …encouraging and supportive.
- …patient and flexible.
- …tolerant and respectful of individual differences.
You Are Not…
- …a mentor to the family.
- …a social worker or doctor.
- …a savior.
- …a provider.
- What can I expect from my first meeting with my mentee?
Match meetings are held at the child’s placement and your assigned coordinator will meet you there.
○ Match meetings may take 30 min to an hour
○ We encourage you to come with an idea, bring an activity or board game
○ Your coordinator will introduce you to your mentee and will sit with you both for the first few minutes
○ After a few minutes your coordinator will leave to allow you and the mentee some privacy
○ IT’S OK TO BE NERVOUS!!
- What activities do the mentors and mentees do together?
Community-based mentoring relationships involve one-on-one outings and activities together, like:
Having lunch
Going to the library
Helping with homework or reading
Volunteering together for a local cause
Hanging out and talking
Swimming, bowling, or playing in the park
- Who will pay for the activities for the mentor and youth?
Mentors always pay their own expenses but are not responsible for the child or the family. There are many activities that may not require a fee at all. If the planned activities involve fees, you may ask the Caregiver to pay for the youth’s share. You need not pay for activities you feel are too expensive. The most important part of the mentoring program is the relationship between the mentor and the youth, not a lot of costly activities. However, because activities help build competence, we hope all mentor/youth pairs can do special things occasionally.