Brookings County Youth Mentoring Program

Light the SparkFebruary 18, 2014In-service Training

Counselors (Introduce all who are there & mention others at all schools.)

Board Members

Staff

Special Guests Lead Mentors at table – longevity!

Getting StartedWelcome & Introductions

Why Mentoring?During meal – introductions at table and

talk together about why you want to be involved in the mentoring program.

Mentor Leaders at each table will begin discussion & introductions.

(p. 190 – Benson –Questions for Mentors)

To promote one-on-one mentoring efforts to youth in the community.

To ensure all youth have the guidance and support of a caring, stable adult.

To empower youth to reach their full potential as contributing individuals in their communities.

Mission

Goal: ◦ Asset Building (Parent, Teacher,

Mentor,Friend)◦ Character Traits (How Children Succeed)

Components◦ Benson Book◦ Expectations◦ Issues encounter◦ Relational & Practical Skills◦ Idea generation ◦ Interaction with others-Questions from Mentors

Training

City Council – John Kubal Community Parks & Rec-Pete Colson

Library-Katherine Eberline Wellness Center-Claire & Mitch Group Activities-Lead at tables Website – Mentor Corner and Resources

www.brookingsyouthmentoring.com

Activities- Intro Guests

A Mentor Is A ….◦ Friend◦ Coach ◦ Motivator◦ Companion◦ Supporter◦ Advisor◦ Advocate◦ Role Model

A Mentor is Not …◦ An ATM ◦ Social worker◦ Parent◦ Cool peer◦ Nag◦ Parole Officer◦ Savior◦ Baby-sitter

Mentor

By volunteering to serve as a Mentor, I am committing to:•Respect, uphold, and model the programs’ goals and objectives•Volunteer as a mentor for at least a nine month period or more•Devote at least one hour per week, or five hours per month, with my mentee•Attend mentor training sessions and occasional planned events (ex. Social event, fundraiser, etc.); review content from missed training sessions.•Update program administrator MONTHLY regarding the status of the mentoring relationship. Day of month I will email Program Administrator: ________•Keep program administrator informed of address and telephone changes at all times as well as mentoring resignations•Inform administrator immediately upon incurring criminal charges of any nature•Publish no recognizable photos of my mentee to the internet in any form: Facebook, Google, Shutterfly, etc. There are situations in which this will endanger your mentee.I also understand that my services as a mentor can be terminated for non-compliance with the above statements.

Commitment

Background Checks

Reference Calls- Please be sure you have talked to your references. We do call them!

Insurance -VSB

Mentor Preparation

Training requirement

Application Forms

Interviews

Reference Checks

National Background Checks

Mentee Sources

Names received from:◦ Teachers,

Principals, Counselors

◦ Social Service Agencies

◦ Court Services◦ Boys & Girls Clubs◦ Self Referral ◦ Medical

community◦ After School

Programs

Matching Mentors and Mentees

School Counselors – Integral part of our program

Explain how we contact parents – commitment from parents as well students

Carleen Holm – Middle School

Kathy Miller – Camelot

First meeting◦ Mentee, mentor, BCYMP or counselor, parents

(preferred)◦ Counselors explain

Meet at a neutral/public place◦ School◦ Boys & Girls Club◦ Taco Johns

Expectations-First time can be awkward. Be prepared for it. (p. 70 of Benson book- ideas)

Exchange of Information◦ Clarify requirements◦ Contact Information

First Time Meeting

Group Activity or Mentor/Mentee Activity suggestions:

Public places preferred◦ Bowling ◦ Movie Night◦ Grilling at the Park◦ SDSU Sports Events (or local team)◦ All BHS Activities are FREE!!◦ Supper at local restaurants or do some

cooking!◦ Endless- check on website. ◦ Discussion at Table – Mentors discuss and add

ideas- also use Benson book!- P. 76-82

Activities

Filled with coupons to local businesses An effective way to reward your mentors Helps with suggestions of things to do Helps mentors financially-we want to help

you do fun things with mentee. (Wellness passes, Children’s Museum, etc. )

Mentees ask for money or want to do things that cost money – what can you do?? (PP. 76-82) Build a spark – p. 105

Gift Packs

Communication is key Effective Mentor - Program communication

◦ Phone◦ Email◦ Updates◦ Mail

Communicating

Communication with Parents◦ Challenging aspect to address ◦ Goal is to have consistent feedback to & from

the family◦ The mechanism is unique to the program

Communication between Mentor & Mentee◦ First Person whenever possible ◦ Frequency and consistency is necessary◦ Not through liaison person/director but do let

us know if you are having difficulty reaching your mentee.

Communicating (cont’d)

Very Important to tell BCYMP office that you are planning to retire

Most important to personally talk to student and make sure they understand reasons why you are leaving.

Kathy & Carleen –give suggestions on how to..

Terminating – Saying Good-bye

Officer Joe Fishbaugher, Board Member – School Resource Officer

Christina Fousek – Board Member - Division of Juvenile Corrections

Issues to be aware of (for both you and your mentee), confidentiality & what it means to be Mandatory Reporter.

Legal Issues

Peter Benson, PHD. Search Institute, c.2010 Search Institute – conducted research

studies on children and adolescents Found Life goals for youth similar around

the world: Being hopeful about future Having sense that life has meaning and purpose Making the world a better place Protecting earth’s air, land & water Knowing what is unique & valuable about

ourselves

Parent, Teacher, Mentor, Friend

Developmental Assets Youth often lack supports and opportunities

to achieve those ideals Research shows that you and I can help with

those nutrients that young people need. Search Institute has identified a framework

of those nutrients – 40 Developmental Assets. (Appendix A – p. 171 – in Benson book.)

Nine of the assets have a common thread – they all require adults to create positive, lasting relationships with young people. That caring adult can be you!

Feeling Valued Feeling valued is a crucial part of human

development. Kids need to believe that they matter to

adults. P. 128-129 Kid-centered Consensus Discuss at your table how you can do that –

how can you help. What kinds of things can you do with your

mentee that will create the feeling that they are valued?

How Children SucceedCharacter Traits

Group of researchers identified set of strengths or character traits that likely to predict life satisfaction: • Grit• Self-control• Zest• Social intelligence• Gratitude• Optimism• Curiosity

• Discuss at your table what those characteristics mean and how you can help child develop them.

Issues you will encounter in mentoring because of the low income

Communication Food Hygiene Focus- Organization Discussion about issues.

Biggest Obstacle to learning & successPoverty

(How Children Succeed-p. 195)

InterLakes Community Action Poverty SimulationApril 8 from 1 – 3:15 P.M.

First Lutheran Church gymnasium (Touch-Down Jesus)

 Please RSVP to Mary Moeller

Mary.moeller@sdstate.edu

Introduction – Mary Moeller An opportunity for you to learn more!

Questions Hand-out –Lead Mentors have them.Questions that are often asked & are

there others?

www.mentoring.org

www.mentorconsultinggroup.com

Benson, Peter. Parent, Teacher, Mentor, Friend- How Every Adult Can Change Kids’ Lives. Search Institute, 2010.

Tough, Paul. How Children Succeed. Mariner Books, 2013.

Thank you all for coming!! You do make a difference !

Resources