HOW TO KEEP YOUR MENTORS MENTORING FOR LIFE!

HOW TO KEEP YOUR MENTORS MENTORING FOR LIFE! Presented by Kathy Witkowicki, Founder & Executive Director Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance

Welcome! • Introductions • Talking Points: • Who is in the room? • What do you hope to take away from today’s workshop?

Understand the Situation

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.

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

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

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 questions…what 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

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?

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

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

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

The Care & Feeding of Mentees

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

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…

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

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

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 • Children’s Home for foster care kids • Pet Shelters • The Troops in the Armed Services

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.

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…

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

HOW TO KEEP YOUR MENTORS MENTORING FOR LIFE!