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Our Programs | Mentor Program | Become a Mentor:ARE YOU READY TO BE A GIRLS QUEST MENTOR? 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. Who is an ideal Girls Quest Mentor? A Girls Quest Mentor is a professional woman who will volunteer and participate in a 1-1 mentoring relationship with a teenage girl to provide guidance and support to her mentee during the transition to young adulthood. Volunteers must be a minimum age of 21 in order to apply. Volunteers are carefully screened and then matched with compatible girls. Applicants are required to successfully complete four steps of the application process prior to being accepted as a Girls Quest Mentor. Below is an overview of the application process for all potential volunteer mentors: 1. Submit your mentor application with an updated resume via fax or postal mail only. 2. Receive an invitation to participate in an interview with a staff member from the Mentor Program. 3. Receive an invitation to attend half-day training where we will share imperative information preparing you for the potential role and responsibility of a mentor. 4. Complete mandated background screenings. Time Commitment Requirement: Our mentor program requires a year-long commitment between the mentor and mentee. Twice a month, mentors and mentees spend a total of six to eight hours together, participating in fun and enriching activities throughout NYC metro area. The program is flexible in the sense that you and your mentee/parent select the days you will have the outings. We do note that majority of our matches tend to get together on the weekends but not limited to weeknights as well. What Activities Can I Participate In? Our program is flexible in that the activities planned with your mentee are geared towards the goals that both of you establish. Goals can vary from cultural exposore to building your friendship. Match outings should be positive and it should promote you and your mentee to develop a healthy and trusting relationship. Please remember that supervision and assistance is provided for all of our matches throughout your match period. What kind of support can I expect once I'm matched? All mentors will be assigned a Match Supervisor at the beginning of your match relationship. You will be required to follow up with your Match Supervisor twice a month after each outing for the first three months and monthly contact therafter. In addition, Mentor Network meetings are offered for the mentors throughout the year, where you have an opportunity to meet and gain support from fellow mentors in the program. How do I get started? Complete a Mentor Application and return it to: Susan Thomas Girls Quest Mentor Program 150 West 30th Street, Suite 901 New York, NY 10001 Or fax it to Susan Thomas's attention at 212.532.7061. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Mentor Program Staff: Susan Thomas, MSW Janell Bartley Director of Mentor Program Mentor Program Assistant P: 212-532-7050, ext. 18 P: 212-532-7050, ext. 17 sthomas@girlsquest.org jbartley@girlsquest.org |
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