Become a Mentor

Ready to make a difference? Use the Mentoring Connector, the only national database of youth mentoring programs, to explore opportunities in our community.

Search by zip code, ages of youth served, and program type, to find the right initiative for you.

What Makes a Good Mentor

Think back to the mentoring figures in your life—be it teachers, coaches, or supervisors—who left a lasting positive impact. Thosse people wear various 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:

A sincere desire to be involved with a young person
Respect for young people
Active listening skills
Empathy
Ability to see solutions and opportunities
Flexibility

Benefits

Mentorships are a shared opportunity for learning and growth—in fact, mentors often find the experience as rewarding as their mentees! Mentors tell us volunteering enables them to:

Have lots of fun
Learn more about themselves
Improve their self-esteem and sense that they're making an impact
Gain a greater understanding of other cultures and appreciation for diversity
Feel more productive and positive at work
Enhance relationships with their own children

Connector

You have made a wonderful and very important decision in choosing to become a mentor. Before you start to look at available programs, think about and identify your interests and needs. The following steps will help walk you through the process of choosing a mentoring program that is right for you. Ask yourself the following questions:

What time commitment can I make?
What age of youth would I like to work with?
Would I like to work with one child or with a group of children?
Would I like to team with other adults to mentor a child or a group of children?
What types of activities interest me? Do I want to help a youth learn a specific skill, pursue an interest, help with schoolwork, or just be a caring adult friend?
What mentoring location would I prefer?

While thinking about these questions, remember to be open and flexible to all the different mentoring opportunities and focus areas out there.

As you start to review the mentoring programs available to you, be sure to consider at least three different organizations. You are offering to make a substantial commitment of your time. Be thorough in investigating your options before you choose the program that best suits your needs.

After you have selected several possible programs, talk to each organization’s volunteer coordinator.
Tell the coordinator you are thinking about mentoring a young person—or a group of young people—and would like to know if their organization offers volunteer opportunities for adults.
Describe the amount of time you have, the types of activities you are interested in, and the number of children you would like to mentor.
Ask about the process the program uses to match young people with mentors.
Identify the different mentoring options the program offers (one-to-one mentoring, team mentoring, short-term mentoring, one-time projects, etc.).

Ask the coordinator about training and support for volunteers and about the application and screening process. The application process can include a written application, personal and professional references, a background check, and a personal interview. Don’t be discouraged if the first program you select doesn’t match your needs or you don’t match its needs. If that happens, try again! You can also talk to our team to be referred to another organization. After selecting a program that feels like a good fit, you will move on to the application process.

When you join a mentoring program—and before you're matched with a young person—you will receive intensive training aimed at helping you understand and prepare for your role and responsibilities. Then, throughout your mentoring relationship, you’ll receive ongoing training and support. That training and support should address the majority of your concerns; if it doesn’t, don’t hesitate to ask questions! Here are a few common concerns:

What if we don’t hit it off right away?

It’s not easy to trust a stranger, especially if you’re a young person who’s had a lot of bad experiences with adults in the past. It may take a while to build trust. Don’t interpret caution as rejection. A young person may not show it—in fact, they may not even fully know it—but your help is wanted.

What if something serious comes up?

While most mentoring relationships develop and flourish without serious problems, things do happen. Mentors have an important role, but that role does not include family counseling or medical or psychological treatment. There are support systems in place for real emergencies. Contact your mentoring program coordinator for information. The most a mentor is expected to do—and should do—is to help guide a young person to the appropriate source of professional help.

What if we don’t have anything in common?

Many first-time mentors worry that differences in age, race, religion, education, or gender will be insurmountable barriers. However, most experienced mentors report that mentoring a young person from a different background broadened their horizons and deepened their understanding of other people and cultures.

What if I can’t mentor anymore?

This is a very serious concern. Mentoring is a deep commitment. There are times, however, when uncontrollable things happen and you must withdraw from your mentoring relationship. If that happens, talk with your program coordinator and discuss the best way to end the relationship. Remember, you could do far more harm than good if you enter a young person’s life, build trust, and then abandon the relationship. Be honest with yourself when committing to be a mentor. If you aren’t sure about in-depth mentoring, try one of the many shorter-term alternatives, such as tutoring or one-time projects.

What if I do something wrong?

If you are there for your young friend no matter what; if you listen and really hear what’s being said; and if you do your best to counsel and not to judge, you will have done everything right. Some young people are more ready than others for a mentor. Some may test a mentor’s commitment. Try not to take such behavior personally. Just keep doing your best and following your mentoring program’s guidelines. Gauge your success by your actions, not your mentee’s.

Become a Mentor

Ready to make a difference? Use the Mentoring Connector, the only national database of youth mentoring programs, to explore opportunities in our community. Search by zip code, ages of youth served, and program type, to find the right initiative for you.

What Makes a Good Mentor

Benefits

Ready to make a difference? Use the Mentoring Connector, the only national database of youth mentoring programs, to explore opportunities in our community.

Search by zip code, ages of youth served, and program type, to find the right initiative for you.