WHAT MAKES A GOOD MENTOR
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Before becoming a mentor, here are a few things to understand about the role of mentoring. Most of us have had a teacher, supervisor, or coach who has been a mentor to us and made a positive difference in our lives. Those people wore many hats, acting as delegators, role models, cheerleaders, policy enforcers, advocates, and friends. Mentors assume these different roles during the course of a relationship, and share some basic qualities:
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A sincere desire to be involved with a young person
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Respect for young people
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Active listening skills
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Empathy
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Ability to see solutions and opportunities
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Flexibility
Why You Should Be a Mentor
If those aren’t reasons enough to considering mentoring, mentors also benefit from investing in others. Increased self-esteem, well-being, fulfillment, and accomplishment are common positive outcomes for mentors. Consider these five benefits of mentoring others.
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Help someone realize their potential. We all have unique talents and gifts. Activating the potential in someone by celebrating their talents empowers them to improve their own life, achieve their goals, and help others.
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Give back to your community. The most impactful way to improve your community is to spend time investing in it. Mentoring youth in your community is a powerful way to invest in the next generation.
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Learn more about yourself. Meaningful relationships are a two-way street. Learn more about your strengths, weaknesses, knowledge, experience, and beliefs by sharing them with someone else.
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Change someone’s life. An intentional relationship has the power to alter a person’s life – particularly youth – for the better. You may be the only stable, positive impact in a youth’s life. The ripple effect is tremendous.
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Become a better leader. Investing in the life of someone else challenges your perspective, sharpens your interpersonal skills, and exposes you to different decision-making approaches. Mentoring gives you the opportunity to learn by doing
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Benefits for youth:
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Increased high school graduation rates
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Lower high school dropout rates
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Healthier relationships and lifestyle choices
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Better attitude about school
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Higher college enrollment rates and higher educational aspirations
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Enhanced self-esteem and self-confidence
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Improved behavior, both at home and at school
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Stronger relationships with parents, teachers, and peers
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Improved interpersonal skills
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Decreased likelihood of initiating drug and alcohol use
Mentoring is often one component of a program that involves other elements, such as tutoring or life skills training and coaching. The supportive, healthy relationships formed between mentors and mentees are both immediate and long-term and contribute to a host of benefits for mentors and mentees.
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Mentoring is a special partnership between two people based on commitment to the mentoring process, common goals/expectations of the partnership, and mutual trust and respect.
Mentoring is a “get and give” experience with the goal of providing a rich and rewarding experience for both partners. We ask you to share your information so the program manager can match you in a mentoring relationship.
Both you and your recommended mentor will have the opportunity to agree to the pairing before you are assigned to work together
