Become a Mentor: Safe Harbour Mentoring Program

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The Safe Harbour Mentoring program has been established to engage and empower youth that have been impacted by human trafficking in Suffolk County, NY. To do so we provide our survivors and youth with a trustworthy individual that will support them in recognizing their strengths while developing constructive and healthy relationships.

That's where you come in!

We are currently seeking dedicated mentor volunteers.
The relationship between a mentor & mentee is special and everyone involved will have a shared opportunity to learn & grow. Youth that have been impacted by trauma are often seeking to learn about the possibilities of a positive, healthy, and brighter future.

More about Suffolk County Safe Harbour?

The Suffolk County Child Advocacy Center of EAC Inc, established Safe Harbour as a response to the commercial sexual exploitation of children. Safe Harbour provides youth who have been trafficked or sexually exploited as well as youth demonstrating potential risk factors, with immediate crisis intervention, case management, medical and mental health assessments, as well as with referrals for additional services and residential placements. Safe Harbour is excited to bring a new chapter to our organization, with our Safe Harbour Mentoring program. We look forward to having you help support our youth in building their confidence and continuing their healing journey.

We need mentors who:
-Are at least 18 years of age or older
-Have a genuine interest in working with youth (11-18)
-Reside in Long Island, NY
-Will make a 1-year commitment to their mentee relationship (4 hours a month)
-Have valid NYS Driver's License and willingness to provide transportation
-Have a willingness to learn! (Training topics include: Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) and Human Trafficking, Indicators and Reporting of Child Abuse, LGBTQ youth, Gang awareness, and more.

Spanish speakers are highly encouraged to apply!
Want to know more?
Contact Juliana Fodera at (631) 439-0480 x110
Follow us on instagram @eacsafeharbour

COMMITMENT TIME:
? Minimum of 1 year commitment with at least 4 hours contact per month
QUALIFICATIONS:
?Sincere desire to be personally involved with youth in need. Must desire to help him or her achieve personal and career goals necessary for success when exiting the Safe Harbour program and continue with that dedication.
? Ability to communicate with youth and adults, including family members of the youth openly and non-judgmentally.
? Strong listening skills; ability to establish relationships based on an equal amount of responsibility and respect.
? Practical problem-solving skills and ability to suggest options and alternatives.
? Sensitivity to personalities of different educational, economic, cultural, or racial backgrounds, and a willing to learn about the commercial and sexual exploitation of youth.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
? Be at least 18 years of age
? Reside in Long Island, NY
? Make a minimum 1 year commitment to developing and maintaining a mentor relationship with a youth involved with our program, Safe Harbour.
? Attend an orientation, and complete required training sessions
? Meet with Mentee on a regular basis, a minimum of 4 hours per month, to establish a working relationship and to support Mentee in accomplishing their goals and solving problems that interfere with Mentee's success at school and/or work.
? Submit monthly updates, as well as any evaluations, assessments and any other necessary paperwork in a timely fashion
? Remain in contact with the Youth Mentor Development Specialist regarding the mentor relationship and submit weekly activity logs
? Have access to an automobile or reliable transportation and have a current driver's license, auto insurance, and good driving record
? Have a clean criminal history (have never been accused, arrested, charged, or convicted of child abuse or molestation and not be a convicted felon. If the applicant has been convicted of a felony, then they may be considered only after a period of seven years with demonstrated good behavior and an appropriate and corrective attitude regarding past behaviors)
? Not be a user of illicit drugs and not use alcohol or controlled substances in an excessive or inappropriate manner.
? Not currently be in treatment for substance abuse. If a substance abuse problem has occurred in the past the applicant must have completed a non-addictive period of at least five years
? Not have falsified information during the screening process
? Must be willing to complete an orientation, a personal interview, provide at least 2 references, provide driving records and a copy of the current insurance coverage, undergo a criminal background check (state criminal history, child abuse registry, sexual offender register) and undergo roughly ten hours of training within six months of being matched.
? Give the time necessary to adequately mentor the child in any extracurricular activities or college coaching steps and be able to provide recommendations on behalf of the child. The time could vary depending on the child and may include training, supervision, transportation, field visits and telephoning all appropriate persons of agencies involved with the child and requires flexibility in scheduling.


Seeking Female Volunteers: Yes

Seeking Male Volunteers: Yes

Minimum Match Commitment (in months): 12 months or longer

Type of Mentoring: One-to-One, Group, Peer

Youth Population Served: Academically At-Risk, Adjudicated/court involved, Foster, Residential or Kinship Care, Gang At-Risk, Gang involved, General Youth Population, Homeless/Runaway, LGBTQ Youth, Low Income, Mental Health Issues, Recent Immigrant/Refugee, Youth with Disabilities, Other

Mentoring Program Goals: Career Exploration, Education/Academic Support, Friendship/Socialization, Healthy Behaviors, Reduce Recidivism, Other

Ages of Youth Served: 8-10, 11-14, 15-18