YMCA Building Futures Mentoring Program

Description

Our mission is To develop the full potential of our youth in Spirit, Mind & Body, both inside and out of the classroom by connecting each youth to a mentor"

The Building Futures program trains adult volunteers to provide mentoring services to young people ages 10-17 for a one-year time-frame.

Site Directors will screen and train volunteers to serve as mentors and provide:

• Academic Support
• Career & College Exploration
• Emotional Support
• Social Skills Enhancement

We aim to help develop tools to cope with issues such as low self-esteem, family and peer conflicts, academic underachievement and decision-making skills. The youth are referred from other YMCA Urban Services Youth Development Center programs.

Time Commitment:

• 4 weeks of training - Four consecutive sessions on Tuesday evenings from 6 pm - 8:45 pm, Thursday mornings from 9 am - 12 noon, or Thursday evenings from 6 pm - 8:45 pm, Additional dates TBD
• 1-3 hours each week with child (flexible - scheduled by mentor and child)
• Designated group activities and one-on-one activity options are available

Principal Activities:

• Connect youth to adults to promote positive, consistent, and growth inducing relationships.
• Increase youth self-esteem, school performance, decision-making skills, and healthy interpersonal relationships.

Position Requirements:

• Desire to work with youth;
• Interest in mentoring;
• No prior felony convictions;
• Must complete background screening for security purposes (costs covered by the YMCA);
• No DUIs on your driving record (if you plan to drive with mentee);
• If you plan to drive and own a car, you must provide proof of auto liability insurance and recent print-out of driving record;
• One year commitment to a child.

Training and Support:

As a mentor, you will attend a 4-week course on topics such as: listening skills, family systems and dynamics and legal and ethical issues in the mentoring relationships. If accepted into the program you will then be matched with a child.