TO BE A MENTOR TAKES
- Commitment
- Dedication to serve youth with caring and selfless attitude
- Dependability
- Honorability to uphold and advocate for youth
What does a Mentor Do?
- Coach
- Guide
- Support
- Role Model
- Advocate
- Be a Friend
The Girls in Power "Program" is dedicated to having caring volunteers who step forward to assist the young people within our communities.
Girls in Power Core elements are:
Providing tools for success across emotional, physical, spiritual, educational, financial, and community dimension
Developing a personal action plan based on assessment of goals, life mission, and personal attributes
Developing a personalized daily routine and weekly monitoring plan to fuel success
Providing an on-going support network of peers and mentors
Providing a safe and confidential environment for self-expression
What is Role Model?
Pointing out, bringing to attention, demonstrating, and explaining your own actions and values that offer the youth the best chances for success and happiness; helping youth see and strive for broader horizons and possibilities than they may see in their present environment.
Attention and Concern
Many youth do not receive enough support, encouragement, value from the adults in their lives; mentors can fill in these empty spaces with dependable, sincere, and consistent attention and concern.
Accountability
A commitment made to a youth for a meeting together, an activity, or an appointment should be a mentor’s first priority, barring emergencies. This consistent accountability has several benefits:
Ø Sets a good example for youth to see and emulate
Ø Cements trust between mentor and youth
Ø Creates mutual expectations that can be met
Listening
The other adults in the young person’s life may not have the time, interest, or ability to listen, or they may be judgmental. Mentors can encourage young people to talk about their fears, dreams, and concerns. Staying neutral and not judging, but rather, sharing your own values, is important in listening. Remember, a mentor may be the ONLY adult in a youth’s life who listens.