Young Adult Mentor

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Encore Career Network’s Mentoring Program helps young adults ages 18-24 currently getting supportive services through Ohio Means Jobs Stark County. The program empowers young adults in our community to make positive life choices that enable them to maximize their potential. The mentoring program uses adults (ages 50+) to commit to supporting, guiding, and being a friend to a young person for a period of at least one year. By becoming part of the social network of adults and community members who care about young adults, the mentor can help young adults develop and reach positive academic, career, and personal goals.

Mentor Role

• Take the lead in supporting a young person through an ongoing, one-to-one relationship
• Serve as a positive role model and friend
• Strive for mutual respect
• Build self-esteem and motivation
• Support the young adult in basic life skills and academics such as reading and math
• Help set goals and work toward accomplishing them

Time Commitment

• Make a one-year commitment
• Spend 2-3 hours per week one-to-one with each mentee (A mentor can have multiple mentees, but cannot exceed 25 hours/week in total)
  • Document activity notes for each session
  • Communicate with program staff on an as-needed basis
  • Attend mentor/mentee group events, mentor support groups, and program recognition events

Participation Requirements

• Be at least 50 years old
• Be interested in working with young people (ages 18-24) facing barriers
• Be willing to adhere to all program policies and procedures
• Be willing to complete the application and screening process
• Be dependable and consistent in meeting the time commitments
• Be willing to communicate regularly with program staff, submit activity information, and take constructive feedback regarding mentoring activities
• Have a clean criminal history
• No use of illicit drugs
• No use of alcohol or controlled substances in an inappropriate manner

Desirable Qualities

• Willing listener
• Encouraging and supportive
• Patient and flexible
• Tolerant and respectful of individual differences
• Experience working with young adults facing barriers

Benefits

• Personal fulfillment through contribution to the community and individuals
• Satisfaction in helping someone mature, progress, and achieve goals
• Training sessions and group activities
• Personal ongoing support, supervision to help the match succeed
• Earn $10/hour

Application and Screening Process

• Written application
• Driving record check
• FBI background check
• Personal interview
• Complete four 1 hour online trainings
• Attend a one-hour in-person training