METROsquash Mentoring Handbook

Transcription

1 METROsquash Mentoring Handbook

2 Mentoring 101 Congratulations! You have chosen to make a tremendous difference or are currently making that difference in the life of a young person who can benefit greatly from the guidance and encouragement of a nurturing mentor. Few endeavors do more to shape young people s aspirations and help them realize their potential. In return, few endeavors reap more profound rewards for those who become involved in the mentoring process because mentoring works. Mentoring is not a new concept. It has its roots in ancient Greece, and throughout the millennia, mentoring providing guidance and counsel to a younger individual has occurred spontaneously as informal relationships: a superior at work who takes an interest in a young person s upward mobility; a teacher who takes extra time with a struggling or promising student; or an older family member who provides a shoulder to lean on when needed. In recent years, as growing numbers of people have recognized the tremendous power of mentoring, formal mentoring programs like METROsquash have been formed in public and private sectors. More and more community organizations, businesses and governments are launching formal mentoring initiatives. Consequently, we have seen a growing need for skilled mentors to change the lives of young people that need them most. 2 P age Any questions or concerns? Please contact Mike MacDonald, Squash Director and METROsquash Middle School MENTOR

3 3 P age Any questions or concerns? Please contact Mike MacDonald, Squash Director and METROsquash Middle School MENTOR

4 METROsquash Mentor Tips Here are some guidelines to help you be that mentor for one of our METROsquash students! Duration of Mentoring: The duration and consistency of each mentoring relationship is very important so that you and your mentee can get to know each other and build a level of trust. This will set a strong foundation for your experience together. At minimum, you and your mentee should meet in person at least once a month, and speak throughout the month in the forms listed below. Before meeting with your mentee and being paired, you must complete an application. You must then complete a FEDERAL fingerprint and background check and send results to METROsquash, and also complete the mandated reported training online here: The Mandated reporter training needs to be filed with METROsquash each calendar year. As a mentor, you are expected to attend at least half of the Mentor-Mentee pre-scheduled activities listed on the application, including but not limited to the Mentor Mixer in October, Mentor Training Session in November; the Holiday Potluck in December; one of the tournament weekends at the University Club in February 2014, a TBD March 2014 Mentor Event, Year End Ceremony in June of 2014, and a Mentor Outing in July of 2014.You and your mentee should be in correspondence through phone, , or snail mail at least twice per month. Be creative in the way you communicate with your mentee; most of our students have cell phones, so texting is a great way to reach them and let them know they are on your mind. How about sending a postcard every now and then? With this generation, they are constantly connected to technology. Make sure to communicate with your student and their families the type of social media that is appropriate for them to use and what they are comfortable with. In the beginning, the family may be more comfortable with you reaching out to the parents/guardian s first. Reach out to your mentee s parents/legal guardian, and your METROsquash staff contact at least once per month by phone or in person, to touch base about the mentee s academics, athletics, behavior, or any concerns you may have (and to get to know the parents). Locations of Mentoring: Mentoring your METROsquash student can take place in a wide array of settings, such as these: METROsquash in the classroom or on court! 4 P age Any questions or concerns? Please contact Mike MacDonald, Squash Director and METROsquash Middle School MENTOR

5 Your workplace In the community Any public setting like a park, store, restaurant, or the beach The mentee s home if approved by the parents Through On the phone Before meeting with your mentor, you should ALWAYS let their parents know about the outing, either by phone or in person. There are many ways you can sustain an effective mentoring relationship, including these: Maintain a steady presence in the mentee s life. That means showing up for scheduled meetings or telling the mentee in advance when that is not possible in order to avoid any disappointment. A phone call or can help when a face-to-face meeting is not possible. Focus on the mentee s needs not the mentor s own wants and needs. You should look to improve the mentee s prospects while respecting the young person s life circumstances and perspective. This includes not trying to transform the mentee or impose your own values on the mentee. Pay attention to the mentee s need for fun. Let them choose the activity sometimes. Who knows - maybe you ll learn something new! Get to know the mentee s family without getting over involved. Mentors are not substitutes for parents, but a guide to augment the METROsquash student s experience with the organization. Spend a day with your mentee at METROsquash to see them in academic and athletic action (and to offer them assistance if needed), or accompany your mentee on a METROsquash community service or cultural outing. Seek out and use the support of mentoring METROsquash staff, and the support of your fellow mentors! We encourage mentors not to: Meet only sporadically, or rarely, with their mentee Adopt an authoritative tone Put more emphasis on changing the mentee s behavior than on developing a warm relationship based on trust and respect Try to transform the mentee by imposing a set of values inconsistent with the mentee s life circumstances Spend time with students on weekday s after 7:00pm or after dark. Please ensure your child s safety is always a top priority and ALWAYS ensure that there is a scheduled mode of safe transportation scheduled. 5 P age Any questions or concerns? Please contact Mike MacDonald, Squash Director and METROsquash Middle School MENTOR

6 Spend extravagantly on their mentee. Paying for an experience, like dinner and a movie, and buying gifts for special occasions, like a squash racquet for their birthday, are okay. We especially discourage this on group outings when other children are present. There are many ways to spend time together that don t cost money like playing squash, attending free museum days, etc. METROsquash Mentor Goals and Activities Establish a Positive & Personal Relationship Talk about family and friends Get to know their family and friends Share hobbies and interests Explore cultural backgrounds/religion Make a list of each of your favorite things about the neighborhood you live in Share pictures of meaningful things in both of your lives Agree on a list of potential activities Get a photo taken together Plan your first outing Exchange phone numbers and s Sign Mentoring Contract Improve Mentee s Ability to Interact with People from Different Backgrounds Get together with other mentor/mentees and do joint activities Introduce each other to friends (even invite a friend along for an outing!) Vary the type of people and places that you see with your mentee during outings Make it a goal to explore a new part of Chicago that has a diverse population Help the Mentee Establish Interests and Explore New Hobbies Discover the outdoors with a hike, kayaking, or day at the beach Learn about cooking and nutrition through a home cooked meal together Go to the library and help mentee research a dream trip Help mentee open a savings account/create a budget 6 Page Any questions or concerns? Please contact Mike MacDonald, Squash Director and METROsquash Middle School MENTOR

7 Perform a community service project together, and talk about the importance of community and giving back Help the Mentee with Their Academics Talk to METROsquash staff about mentee s academic development areas Spend time with mentee reading, writing, etc. Plan your own tutoring session with your mentee on your own time at the local library Again, spend a day with your mentee at METROsquash during their academic and squash sessions Explore Education Opportunities and Help Mentee Establish Life Goals Talk about the mentee s goals and aspirations, and help them develop a plan to get there Visit your alma mater (if close) Explain your college years and what a college degree did for you Attend a college sporting event Visit a top high school/high school fair Visit different universities and colleges as relates to their goals Explore different career paths together Help the Mentee Access Resources Computers Transportation Newspapers Free activities they can do with their families Library Take an active interest in Mentee s squash game Schedule squash matches and help mentee work on the areas of the game they struggle with Consistently ask about the mentee s squash game Come and watch/assist mentee in tournaments or at practice Schedule outings that have a fitness component, like biking along the beach or throwing a ball around on a Saturday afternoon 7 P age Any questions or concerns? Please contact Mike MacDonald, Squash Director and METROsquash Middle School MENTOR

8 Have Fun! Take trips that rest the brain and allow for laughs and fun (Navy Pier, Ice Skating at Millennium Park, White Sox Game, picnic at the beach, roller skating) Use the Mentor-Mentee Phone Tree - We have shared your contact for a reason! Reach out to other Mentor s and Mentees to make plans together. This is a great way for your student to spend time with friends and adults outside of the normal METROsquash setting, and a great way for you to meet other Chicago professionals and students in the METROsquash program. 8 P age Any questions or concerns? Please contact Mike MacDonald, Squash Director and METROsquash Middle School MENTOR