HOW TO KEEP YOUR MENTORS MENTORING FOR LIFE!

1
HOW TO KEEP YOUR MENTORS MENTORING FOR LIFE!

• Presented by Kathy Witkowicki,
• Founder Executive Director
• Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance

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Welcome!

• Introductions
• Talking Points
• Who is in the room?
• What do you hope to take away from todays
  workshop?

3
Understand the Situation
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Mentor Centers

• Provide a home for the program
• Each Center is staffed with a Facilitator who
  oversees all matches at that site.
• Examples of activities available in these Centers
  include Art Projects, Board Games, Puzzles,
  Computer-Technology area, Study areas, Science
  area, Reading area, College Career area, Sports
  Equipment, Pool Tables, Air Hockey, Foosball
  Tables, etc.

5
Mentor Program Staff

• Communication is key - hire only people-persons
  to oversee mentoring
• Acts as the liaison between the mentor and the
  child, their parent, their teacher, their
  counselor, etc.
• Manages the mentor-mentee meeting schedule
• Provides on-going communication with mentor
• Offers additional resources as needed to help
  keep the relationship intact and on-going

6
Recruitment Techniques

• Billboards
• Coffee cup sleeves
• E-Blasts / E-Newsletters
• Newspaper Ads / Inserts
• Cinema Ads
• Public Transportation advertising on buses
• Car Magnets / Bumper Stickers
• Public Service Announcements on local TV Radio
  Stations
• Brochures / Posters
• Recruitment Post Cards
• Video
• Church Bulletins
• Grocery Carts
• Press Releases / Letters to the Editor / Guest
  Editorials
• Mentor T-Shirts
• Welcome Wagon

7
Making Matches

• Be selective - a long-term commitment up-front is
  key
• Mentors complete the application process,
  reference checks, fingerprinting, and a 4 hour
  initial orientation
• Mentors undergo one-on-one personal interview
  with staff
• This is the time to ask the tough questionswhat
  kind of child does this person see themselves
  being matched with
• Consider preferences for age, gender, location,
  ethnicity, socio-economic conditions, family
  background issues, etc.
• Best matches are based on MUTUAL INTERESTS

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Break-Out Session

• Topic What are some of the reasons mentoring
  relationships end prematurely?

What are some possible interventions, strategies
or solutions that can help solve the problem?
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On-Going Education for Mentors

• Annual Mentor Forums
• Motivational Inspirational Speakers
• Classes that address Cultural Diversity Issues
• Author Seminars
• Monthly or Quarterly Roundtable Workshops
• Support Groups that address specific topics
• Mentors who have no children of their own
• Mentors dealing with sexually-active teens
• Mentors of kids with gang involvement

10
Counseling Support Groups

• Partnering with the Counseling Dept. at a nearby
  college or university is a great resource for
  securing free or greatly reduced counseling
  services for mentors mentees
• In order to stay the course, mentors need
  professional assistance when they are faced with
  road blocks that threaten to end the relationship
• Support Groups facilitated by a Counselor or
  Therapist are a great way to offer guidance to a
  group of mentors facing similar issues with their
  mentees (substance abuse, gang involvement,
  eating disorders, cutting, etc.)
• Monthly staff meetings with a Counselor or Social
  Worker is beneficial for your program as a whole

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MENTEE Training

• Your mentees need to understand the role they
  play in the mentor-mentee relationship
• Each group meets once a week for 4 weeks
• We provide this during lunch (over pizza) with
  small groups of kids who are similar in grade/age
• The training includes a segment on manners,
  responsibility for showing up, communication, and
  gratitude/appreciation
• Kids leave with a better understanding of what to
  expect (and what NOT to expect) from a mentor

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The Care Feeding of Mentees
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Social Events for Mentors

• Annual or Semi-annual Mentor Mixers
• Mentor Recruitment Events (bring a friend)
• Fun-raisers, Friend-raisers Fund-raisers
• Opportunities to volunteer at functions that
  benefit the program

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Enrichment Activities

• Offer extra-curricular opportunities, field trips
  social events for Mentors Mentees that are
  scheduled after school on weekends, as well as
  during summer
• According to surveys, participation in off-campus
  activities strengthens the bond of friendship
  between mentors mentees, leading to longer
  relationships
• See hand-out for a list of suggested activities

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Social Events for Mentors, Parents Kids

• These type of events are meant to provide an
  opportunity for parents mentors to socialize,
  and get to know each other better
• They always include food (potluck is an option)
  entertainment (sometimes our mentees perform)
• These are paid for by the program, so there is no
  cost for program participants or their families
  to attend

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Empowerment Opportunities

• Offer funders an opportunity to donate to this
  specific cause
• Allows mentees a chance to find what they are
  passionate about when it comes to activities,
  sports, hobbies and skills that are available
  outside the classroom
• Helps put children on a more level playing field
  with their peers when they can get scholarships
  to participate in fee-based activities (music,
  art, drama, sports, summer camps, fitness
  programs, etc.)
• A way to benefit the WHOLE child
• Studies show that over time, children who
  participate and excel in extra-curricular
  activities will show increased gains in their
  academic performance as well

17
Community Service

• Mentees need a place to give back, and be on the
  GIVING side of services
• Organize opportunities for Mentors Mentees to
  participate in activities that help provide for
  those in the under-served communities
• Nursing Homes for the elderly
• Childrens Home for foster care kids
• Pet Shelters
• The Troops in the Armed Services

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Scholarship Awards College Support

• Our goal is not just to get children to graduate
  from high school against all odds, but to get
  them TO and THROUGH some form of higher education
  as well (College, University, Junior College,
  Community College, Trade School, Certificated
  Program, etc.)
• Fundraising for Scholarship Awards/Naming
  Rights/Memorial Scholarships
• The importance of working with a College Success
  Coordinator who can offer mentees assistance with
  college applications, scholarship applications,
  applying for FAFSA/Financial Aid, writing college
  essays, campus tours, class registration, and
  transportation.

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Community Partnerships Collaborations

• The way to offer SO MUCH opportunity with SO
  LITTLE funding is to form partnerships within
  your community
• Since relationships are at the heart of every
  donation, this requires the RIGHT person to
  advocate on your behalf
• Collaborate with other non-profits that offer
  services that would be beneficial to your program
  participants
• Never pay for anything that you can get for free
  or greatly discounted!
• See hand-out for examples

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Thank You!

• Thank you for attending, and here is my contact
  info
• Kathy Witkowicki, Executive Director
• Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance
• 707-938-1990
• kathy_at_sonomamentoring.org
• Website
• www.sonomamentoring.org