Opportunity Details
Brightpoint Mentorship Program
WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING MENTORSHIP APPLICATIONS. THIS PROGRAM IS SELECTIVE AND SEEKS TO FIND MENTORS THAT MATCH WITH OUR CURRENT MENTORSHIP NEEDS & REQUESTS.
ABOUT OUR MENTORSHIP PROGRAM:
What is a mentor? All young people have the potential to succeed in life. However, many children and adolescents served by Brightpoint (formerly Children's Home & Aid) have little or no contact with their families and are missing the support they need to thrive. A mentor can bring new hope to the lives of these youth. A mentor is a caring and committed older individual in a young person's life. By spending a few hours a month sharing activities, listening, encouraging, challenging, and building skills and self-reliance, volunteer mentors can help children from elementary through high school achieve success. Participating in a mentoring relationship can significantly improve the physical, intellectual, and social growth of a child in need of a positive adult role model. Mentoring has proved to be a powerful tool for helping young people fulfill their potential.
What does the mentorship relationship look like? Mentors are asked to volunteer for a minimum of 6 months and agree to meet with the child at least weekly for an estimated time of 4-10 hours per month. This kind of commitment is necessary to develop and maintain a strong mentoring relationship. Mentors are matched with youth participating in services in our Foster Care and Youth Services programs. Brightpoint strives to make mentoring matches that will benefit both the youth and the adult. Mentors are matched with youth based on personal preferences, interests, hobbies, temperament, life experiences, time availability, and geographic locations.
What does the selection process look like? Mentors must be at least 21 years of age. In order to ensure the safety of our clients, volunteer mentors complete a volunteer application, initial interview, and fingerprinting background check. They must also provide 3 references and show proof of auto insurance if transporting clients. If moving forward, the prospective mentor will complete an orientation and an additional interview with the potential mentee's caseworker. Decisions regarding the match will ultimately be up to the mentee's caseworker, who will serve as the Match Supervisor if a match is made. It's a lengthy process but can be so worth it for the difference it can make in the life of a youth.
Children & Youth
Mentoring/Youth Development
Age Minimum (with Adult): 21+, Minimum Age:21+
