Caring Causes: Mentoring

If you've ever thought about mentoring, I had the chance to interview Joellen Gondor-Spacek, Executive Director of Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota. Although she speaks directly to the Minnesota mentoring partnership, her words are true for many mentoring organizations nationwide. You can find out more at www.facebook.com/MentoringPartnershipOfMinnesota or @MPMN1.

1)     What types of kids need mentors?

All children and youth of all ages need positive, caring connections with adults throughout their lifetime.  In particular, the importance of these adult youth relationships help young people be hopeful about their future, grow in their understanding of diverse perspectives, have a sense of life that has meaning and purpose, and helps young people know what is unique and valuable about themselves. Especially young people that may be struggling in school, have lost a parent, are living in poverty, or are new to our country can particularly benefit from connections to quality mentors.

2) How much commitment do mentors typically make (weekly and length of time)?

We are finding that most mentors are connected to young people for a minimum of nine-twelve  months.  Based on research we know that the longer the relationship lasts, the stronger the relationship becomes and often is when the relationship makes the most impact.  Once trust, rapport, respect, and commitment is made by both the mentors and young people, the magic starts to happen.  We also know that the adult mentors often share that they get as much if not more out of the relationship over time.  On average, mentors and youth spend time together 3-4 hours a month. 

3) How are mentors matched with kids?

Most of the 300 plus mentor programs in Minnesota will assess a young person’s interests to best match them with an adult mentor that may similar interests.  Both the young person and their family and the mentors all participate in a screening and background process to ensure the relationship has the best opportunity for success.  Mentor programs will also check the background of mentors; just like you might do if you were interviewing for a job to ensure the safety of the young people.

4) What do mentors do?

The number one things that mentors need to do once they begin their mentoring relationship is focus on listening to their new friend, respecting, seeking understanding, reserving judgment, and showing up when they are supposed to show up.  Building a friendship with the young person is job number one.  Obviously, there are many activities that mentors and young people can do together including:  go to the library, ride bikes or take a walk in the park, work on homework, play games, bake cookies, shoot hoops, kick a soccer ball around, build a bird house, or just hang out and talk. 

5) What are the benefits for the mentors and mentees?

Many adult mentors will tell you how much fun it is to spend time with a young person and learn more about life as a kid in 2013.  Adults and kids like doing activities together and going to places they may not normally go on their own.  Both mentors and young people will affirm that making a new friend that they can count on, who gives good advice, is a sounding board, and accepts them for who they are keeps them going in the relationship.  The research supports that young people that have mentors often do better in school, improve relationships with other people in their lives, are happier and more hopeful, and perseveres through challenges. These are assets that can only be developed through positive, caring relationships between adults and young people.