Mentor Qualifications

A mentor in the Mower County Mentoring Program is a caring adult and positive role model who provides guidance, support, and encouragement. Mentors focus on their mentee’s needs, helping them make positive and healthy life choices while building a relationship based on trust and consistency.

Mentoring is a structured relationship between an adult and a young person, centered on the mentee’s growth and well-being.

Mentors and mentees meet four times per month for one hour to engage in activities they both enjoy, such as walking, fishing, sports, crafts, swimming, biking, visiting the library, baking, doing homework, watching movies, and much more!

An adult (over the age of 18) who cares about youth.
An individual who has time and an interest in developing a relationship of trust with a deserving youth.
Reside in Mower County for a year or more.
Has access to a car or reliable transportation.
Agreeing to background screening procedures.
Agreeing to a one-year commitment to the program.
MCMP does not discriminate based on gender, race, ethnicity, religion, creed, sexual orientation, or disability.

Mentors and mentees are matched based on:

Interests
Needs of the child
Traveling distance
Life experiences
Background
Energy level

The matching process involves conversations between the program coordinator, the prospective mentor, the mentee, and their parent/guardian. Once a match is identified, an in-person meeting is scheduled to ensure a good fit. If all parties agree, they set up their first official mentoring session and begin their journey together!

VOLUNTEER MENTOR POSITION DESCRIPTION

Mower County volunteer mentors take responsibility for one youth in the program. Mentors commit to spend 12-months of consistent weekly time with youth. Mentors spend this weekly time simply being an adult friend to the youth (mentee). Not a parent, not a therapist. Rather, an adult friend that invest their time listening, building trust, establishing a relationship, supporting, and guiding through the course of the year.

Commitment Time: 12-month commitment with one hour of contact per week.

Areas of Involvement: Commitment to developing a supportive relationship with one program participant (mentee)

Qualifications:

Sincere desire to be personally involved with another person to help him or her achieve personal goals
Ability to communicate with mentees openly and nonjudgmentally
Strong listening skills.
Ability to establish a relationship based on equal responsibility and respect
Interest in needs and concerns
Practical problem-solving skills and ability to suggest options and alternatives
Sensitivity to persons of different educational, economic, cultural or racial backgrounds

Responsibilities:

Make a twelve-month commitment to developing and maintaining a mentor relationship with a mentee
Complete training sessions before first session
Attend ongoing mentor training and support sessions if needed
Meet with mentee on a regular basis to establish working relationship and to support mentee in personal goals
Assist mentee in achieving their goals and solving problems that interfere with mentee’s success
Keep time logs and other information as requested by mentorship coordinator.

Supervision/Support Schedule:

Weekly check-in with Mentorship Coordinator (first month of match)
Monthly check-in's as needed (remaining months of match)
Monthly reporting to Mentorship Coordinator

MCMP Resources

As a mentor, you play a key role in supporting youth in their personal growth, goal setting, and overall well-being. This guide provides tips and structured activities to help you make the most of your time with your mentee. Please remember, this is a guide to help you navigate your mentoring journey, but your unique skills, experiences, and guidance will have a great impact on your mentee.

You are helping to shape their confidence, aspirations, and future success. Your dedication and support are invaluable!

Thank you for your commitment to this important role—together, we can create positive change and help youth thrive!

MENTOR GUIDE