Girls Quest • Our Programs • Mentor Program • Become a Mentor

Our Programs | Mentor Program | Become a Mentor:

Click here to download a PDF of the Mentor Application form.

Please return your completed application to:
Susan Thomas, Director of the Mentor Program
Girls Quest
150 West 30th Street, Suite 901
New York, NY 10001
Or fax it to Susan Thomas's attention at 212.532.7061.

What is mentoring?
Mentoring is about volunteers building relationship with youth for a prolonged period of time. Mentors and mentees join together and form matches. A mentor is a volunteer who is a positive role model, confidant, advocate, supporter, coach, and friend. The mentees in the program should be open to the concept of mentoring and are active participants within the match. Parents/guardians are supporters of the match and their awareness and approval of the match is essential for the success of the mentoring relationship.

What are the goals of Girls Quest’s Mentor Program?
At Girls Quest, we seek to accomplish the following objectives:

Increase girls' sense of self worth.
Improve girls' perspective toward education.
Help girls develop and define their short term and long term goals.
Provide them with positive support and encouragement.
Help them become self-sufficient, motivated adults.

Who can become a Girls Quest mentor?
Girls Quest’s mentors are professional women who volunteer to work with a teenage girl to provide guidance and support toward her mentee’s transition to young adulthood. Mentors should be able to meet their mentee two times a month for a minimum of one year.

What is the screening process like?
Volunteers are required to successfully complete four phases of the application process.

First, applicants are required to submit a Mentor application and provide a minimum of 3 (non-related) references along with an updated resume.

Second, you will be invited to participate in an interview with a Mentor Program staff member.

Third, applicants will be in invited to attend an in-depth training to prepare them for the role and responsibilities as a mentor.

The fourth and final step for applicants are to complete a background screening.

Once the entire process is successfully completed, applicants are officially ready to be a Girls Quest Mentor.

How are the matches made?
Mentors are carefully matched with girls based upon common interests, compatibility of personalities, mentor’s availability and youth needs.

What can I do with my mentee?
Two times each month, for a minimum of one year, you and your mentee will select and engage in fun and enriching activities throughout New York City. You can go out to lunch or dinner, go to sports games, explore new neighborhoods or visit museums. Matches develop a one-to-one mentoring relationship and meet independently within the community at-large.

What kind of support can I expect?
Our Mentor Program offers support before and throughout the match. New mentors attend half-day training. You will also have regular communication with the program staff, monthly follow-ups and biannual goal review meetings. In addition, Mentor Support Network (MSN) meetings are offered for the mentors throughout the year, where you have an opportunity to meet fellow mentors and share experiences.

How do I get started?
Complete an application and return it to:
Susan Thomas, Director of the Mentor Program
Girls Quest
150 West 30th Street, Suite 901
New York, NY 10001
Or fax it to Susan Thomas's attention at 212.532.7061.

To learn more about how to become a Mentor, please download our brochure.