Building Blocks of Quality Mentoring Programs

» Topics

» Mentoring Groundwork

	Mentoring Defined
	Mentoring Types
	Need for Programs
	Ideal vs Reality
	Quality Mentoring
		Effective Mentoring Checklist
	Meet Ms. Mentor

Full Text
Home

Meet Ms. Mentor …

Meet "Ms. Mentor" … she is the Bob Vila of mentoring program construction … the Ann Landers of mentoring program dilemmas. She will appear throughout this training to offer guidance and suggestions on some issues that are common in building and improving mentoring programs. Your job is to work as her apprentice, and select the advice you think would produce the best results. Then, she will let you know her thoughts on your recommendations.

Dear Ms. Mentor,

I am a caseworker in a young offenders center, and I am trying to start a mentoring program in this facility. Young people are detained here for periods of time that vary from a few months up to three years. I am concerned that those youth who have short sentences might not benefit from an institution based mentoring relationship. Is my concern warranted?

Supporting Secure Custody Kids

Dear Ms. Mentor,

I am a program supervisor of an established community based mentoring program. I was just given the responsibility of developing and piloting an Internet based program. Our board members want to head in this direction because they firmly believe the mentoring concept is equally effective when applied to Internet based mentoring (or any other setting), as it is when applied in the traditional model. Is this true?

Surfing in Saskatchewan

Dear Ms. Mentor,

Call me a cynic, but I'm not so sure that every child needs a mentor in order to grow up to be a contributing citizen. I grew up in the 1950's with alcoholic parents in a rough neighborhood. I didn't have any mentors and I turned out just fine. Now I sit on the board of a recreational club for underprivileged kids. The board wants to start a mentoring program for the youngsters, but I'm not so convinced that this is a good investment of the organization's dollars. How can you prove to me that mentoring can make a difference for the children in my program?

Skeptical

Dear Ms. Mentor,

I was recently hired as a youth counselor at my church. As part of its services for youth, the church offers a one-to-one mentoring program. We have a strong recruitment plan that has resulted in a lot of matches. The mentors are screened with police records checks, and they must attend a one-day training workshop. Supervision happens informally at church activities. Based on what I've heard and seen from mentors and mentees at some of the church-sponsored group outings, this seems to be a good program. But quality is a priority of mine, and I want to be sure we have everything in place that is required for an effective program. Does it sound to you like this is a quality mentoring program?

Concerned with Quality

You have now prepared the groundwork for building your quality mentoring program. The specific structures and practices that facilitate quality mentoring are detailed in the remainder of this training. To ensure your program is solid at its base, check out The Infrastructure.

<< previous | next >>



» Home Table of Contents Reading List Contact Us Help Training Central