1:1 Youth Mentor (1 to 3 Hours/Week)

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This is a NON-PAID VOLUNTEER POSITION SUPPORTED BY THE OFFICE OF JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION (OJJDP) -- Payment comes in the form of helping youth expand horizons and explore new ways of thinking through one-to-one mentoring. This is a one-year volunteer internship that takes 1-3 hours per week after training has been completed. During that time, mentors will work on goals set by youth and families aimed toward helping youth develop tools to cope with issues such as family and peer conflict, problems at school, and improving their decision-making skills. Youth in this program include both males and females between the ages of 9 and 17.

Time Commitment:

• 15+ hours of free training (in and out of the classroom)
• 1-3 hours each week with a child (flexible - scheduled by mentor and child's family)
• Minimum of monthly check-in with Program Director (approximately 30 minutes)

Reports To: Elan McAfee, 501-623-8803 x 180, emcafee@hsymca.org, www.hsymca.org/mentoring

Principal Activities: Developing supportive, consistent mentoring relationship with a youth through recreational play and paraprofessional therapeutic techniques. Help children explore and cope with social and/or family struggles. Meetings are completed largely in the community, but may be held at the Hot Springs Family YMCA if safety criteria are met.

Position Requirements:

• Must be at least 21 years old (20-year-olds can begin training)
• Desire to work with youth and have interest in counseling/mentoring
• Must submit to fingerprint screening for security purposes
• Proof of auto insurance, copy of current driving record and auto insurance
• One-year commitment to meet one time a week for 1-3 hours (on average)

Training and Support: Mentors are provided with training to prepare them for the mentoring relationship. During this training, mentors learn information such as the program policies and procedures, expectations, basic therapeutic concepts, relationship building, understand risk factors/mental health issues, how to handle safety issues, etc. If accepted into the program, mentors are then matched with a child. Optional mentor support meetings with your fellow mentors facilitated by Program Director are also available.

What You Get:

• The joy of helping youth
• Valuable experience for your resume
• Counts toward volunteer requirements toward many colleges' requirements for psychology, social work, and juvenile justice majors
• Glowing reference upon completion
• Networking with members of the community