Can I Mentor?
You do not have to be a professional counselor or have lots of experience mentoring. One of the things our mentees like is that their mentor is a volunteer, willing to give of their free time, and not a professional. It makes a difference to know their new friend cares.
Over time, we’ve learned that successful mentors have these qualities:
- A good heart and a sincere compassion for others
- A stable life
- A non-judgemental attitude
- A desire to help people meet their own goals
- Patience for when their mentees make decisions they wouldn’t have made
- Are at least 25 years old
If that sounds like you and you’re ready to get started, complete our Mentor Volunteer Form.
If you’re still not sure, you can:
- Schedule a call. Or call us at 317-985-5041 ext. 2 and speak to a staff member. We can give you a feeling for what mentoring is like and answer your specific questions.
- Mentoring isn’t for everyone, but you can volunteer to help with events, community engagement, or other tasks.
Studies show that successful mentors will:
- Make a commitment to being consistent and dependable
- Accept responsibility for keeping the relationship going
- Respect the mentee’s viewpoint
- Involve the mentee in deciding how you will spend time together
- Seek and utilize the help and advice of program staff
What do we ask of a Trusted Mentor?
Mentors will:
- Attend training (two 2-hour sessions) and a follow up interview
- Meet with their mentees for an average of 6 hours per month for a year
- Help their mentee achieve their personal goals
- Submit monthly reports to staff
- Attend Recognition Nights with their mentees
- Attend Mentor Meetings for on-going support
What is mentor training like?
As we train you to be a mentor, we will equip you with quality training sessions, providing you with the resources, and techniques you need to be an effective mentor. In addition, our staff is here to provide on-going support and encouragement of your mentor/mentee relationship to ensure your success.