MENTORING

Behind every successful adult is at least one mentor who helped them overcome a challenge or opened their world to new possibilities. If you reflect on your own life, you will surely think of many caring adults outside your immediate family who helped support you at various points along the way. Mentors inspire us, teach us, challenge us to be better people and achieve our goals.


About YouthBuild Mentoring

Mentoring is one of the many services—including academic coursework, vocational training, and leadership development—provided by your local YouthBuild program. YouthBuild mentors are caring adults from the community who volunteer their time to work directly with students as they pursue their educational and career goals. We feel our mentors are one of the critical supports in helping our students get the most out of the program and continuing on a positive path once they transition out of YouthBuild. 

Who are our students?
Our students are young men and women ages 16-24 who have previously dropped out of school and are returning to get their diploma or GED and learn skills for a successful career and life. Many have been in trouble with the law, in the foster care system, or the victim of abuse or exploitation. Most of them have made the decision to turn their lives around and “flip the script” on their life, working toward a brighter future for themselves, their family, and their community.

Why do YouthBuild students need mentors?
Behind every successful adult is at least one mentor who helped them overcome a challenge or opened their world to new possibilities. If you reflect on your own life, you will surely think of many caring adults outside your immediate family who helped support you at various points along the way. Mentors inspire us, teach us, challenge us to be better people and achieve our goals.

Unfortunately, many of the young people who come to YouthBuild lack these positive role models in their lives. They may have found negative role models in the absence of positive individuals. While they meet many caring adults during their time in YouthBuild, a mentor from the community is uniquely positioned to provide positive support to the youth when and where they need it the most: In the community. YouthBuild mentors enhance the work of our staff and provide additional support to our students as they take the next steps in their lives.

Who serves as YouthBuild mentors?
Our mentors come from all walks of life. Some are business owners, some are blue collar workers, some are retired or attend college. We do not require any special skills or abilities, but we do ask that mentors meet our minimum requirements:

·         Commit to a 15-month match with a YouthBuild student

·         Participate in our mentor screening and training process

·         Meet with students a minimum of four hours per month

·         Participate in occasional group activities and service projects

·         Be caring, consistent, honest, enthusiastic, and supportive in being a role model for a student

What do mentors and students do together?
Mostly, have a lot of fun! They usually meet in the community at times that are convenient for both the student and the mentor. Often they will do an activity related to the student’s Life Plan, a guiding document that helps the youth set goals in the areas of education, career, family, finances, health, and personal relationships. This might include looking into colleges, exploring a career, or learning how to stick to a budget or become a better cook. But there is also plenty of room for just hanging out, talking about life, and simply having fun together. Occasionally, mentors and students will also take part in service projects or other group activities that lend a bit more structure to the relationship. But mostly, you and your student will work together to come up with activities that work for both of you.

What kind of support do mentors receive?
Because our mentors do such valuable work, we provide them with all the training and support they need to succeed. We provide:

  • Thorough pre-match training that gives you the information and skills you need to get your relationship with a student off to a great start
  • Frequent check-ins from our Mentoring Coordinator to see how the relationship is going and offer additional advice
  • Ongoing training as needed to help grow your skills as a mentor
  • Responsive support and assistance if you encounter a challenge that seems beyond your role as a mentor
  • Frequent recognition and praise for a job well done

What are the next steps if I want to get involved?
You can learn more about the YouthBuild mentoring program by contacting Mentoring Coordinator Denise Robinson at drobinson@nubiandirections.org or 845-452-8574.

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE MENTORING APPLICATION AND FACT SHEET BELOW:

Mentoring Fact Sheet               Mentoring Application

Once you have filled out our mentor application, our Mentoring Coordinator will guide you through the next steps on your way to being a mentor.

Please let us know if you have any questions about YouthBuild or our mentoring services. On behalf of the young people we serve, thank you for considering stepping up to the challenge of helping students achieve their goals and improve our community.