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Mentoring

Are you considering becoming a mentor? Terrific! Mentoring is one of the most significant ways that you can impact the life of a young person. No special skills are needed . . . just the willingness to care and spend time with someone who needs you. Training will be provided, you must have a background check.

What is a mentor?

A mentor is a combination of many different people-part cheerleader, part coach, part teacher, part student, part guide, and part listener. A mentor guides, inspires, encourages, counsels, advises, questions, and answers. A mentor can play many roles, such as a caring adult, career counselor, or teacher and homework helper. No matter how diverse the roles or how varied the responsibilities, the mentor's primary job is to support students in achieving their ultimate goal-to be whomever they want to be.

How Does Mentoring Help?

Research and experience have shown that people who succeed have had at least one significant adult who cared about them. In many cases, that adult has been a parent. Young people who meet regularly with mentors are:

• 46% less likely to get involved with drugs
• 27% less likely to start consuming alcohol
• 52% less likely to skip school
• More likely to graduate from high school
  
• More likely to enroll in college
  
• More likely to be hopeful about their future
  (Source: Public Private Ventures, 1999)

Who are the Mentees?

Typical Mentee:

• Struggles with schoolwork
• Spends little time with an adult
• Needs a positive adult role model
• Lacks confidence and self-esteem
• Copes with family separation issues
• Wants a friend who will listen to them and have fun!

Getting Started Becoming a Mentor

• Making a one-year commitment to mentor a youth for one hour a week
• Agreeing to a background check
• Attending an orientation and training session

What type of mentoring opportunities are available?

Mentees are typically in grades 1 through 6. To enroll in the mentoring program and be paired with a mentor, you must call 703-860-0676, TTY 711. There is no fee for enrollment or to participate.

Tech Mentors for Computer Clubhouses & Computer Learning Centers

Volunteers at a Computer Clubhouse or Computer Learning Center Partnership (CLCP) are often referred to as Tech Mentors. They join a unique community of young people and adults who create, invent, and explore together using the latest in computer technology. Tech Mentors vary in age, background, interests and skills. Typically mentors are university students, artists, educators, graphic designers, software developers, architects, Clubhouse Member "alumni" or community members. However, you don't have to have a technology background to be a mentor. If you are interested in becoming a Tech Mentors, please call 703-324-5555, TTY 711.