Supporting Mentoring Relationships Amy Cannata National Mentoring Center @ Education Northwest http://educationnorthwest.org/nmc
Topics for Today
Getting a Good Start
First Meeting
• Facilitate the first meeting for success, left on their own, pairs may not meet • Allow plenty of time for “getting to know you” activities • Help make connections if needed
Getting a Good Start
Training
• Provide training before the match is made • Plan separate trainings for youth and mentors • Invite experienced matches to speak • Add topics that will make your life easier down the road
Ongoing Support
How do you support your matches throughout the year?
Ongoing Support
The Mentor-Mentee Relationship Cycle Ending
Beginning of the Match
“Real� Mentoring
Challenging and Testing
From: Ongoing Training for Mentors available at: http://www.edmentoring.org/pubs/ongoing_training.pdf
Ongoing Support
Monitoring & Support
Support • Ongoing peer support structures for mentors and youth • Ongoing training and development • Relevant issue discussion and information dissemination • Networking with appropriate organizations • Recognition and appreciation 7
Ongoing Support
Monitoring: How Often?
Check in with mentors and youth: – Within the first 2 weeks – First few months every 2 weeks – For the first year, monthly – More often as needed 8
Ongoing Support
Troubleshooting
• What problems might arise in first few months of the match? • What problems might arise after 6 months? • How might we address these issues? 9
Closure
Planned Closure
• Be clear about the relationship length from the beginning • Plan a formal closure event: – Celebrate achievements and reflect on time together – Help youth thank their mentors – Share something they each learned from the other – Outline expectations for future involvement
Closure
Unexpected Closure
• Life Events – State reasons, celebrate, don’t let the mentee think it is their fault, outline expectations for future involvement, re-match if appropriate
• Termination due to behavior – State reasons, pair expresses what worked and didn’t work, express how to handle situation differently next time around, re-match if appropriate
Thank you! Visit our website: www.educationnorthwest.org/nmc • Download program management resources • Share your practices and learn from others on the