Whether you choose a community based or school based program; to mentor in a group or one-to-one; your time makes a difference!
MENTOR Rhode Island works with over 50 mentoring programs around the state, making us your number one resource in finding the volunteer opportunity meant for you.
“My son has grown tremendously, and [his mentor] has definitely had a hand in that. He always shows up. He is so consistent. He is so nurturing and kind. He has taught my son more independence and how to deal with certain situations with friends. And to tie his shoes! Our world is so much better because of Todd being in it. We are forever grateful.”
Mentee Parent
“My mentor helped me with school… I really needed him.”
Woonsocket Elementary Student
“She is not the same young person she was two years ago; she is becoming A young adult with a clearer vision of her future and the tools to pursue it .”
JJI Program Director
We’ve got answers!
… Solution oriented
… Active listeners
… Empathetic
… Great at boundary setting
…Respectful of young people
… Opportunity seekers and sharers
… Truly invested in the futures of the young people we serve
… Therapists, teachers, social workers, or foster parents
… Uninterested in connecting with young people for a year or more
… Unable to fit anything else into their schedule
School-based mentoring takes one place on school grounds and during school hours. Mentors are required to commit at least one school year (9 months) to mentoring. These programs often ask mentors and mentees to meet for one hour per week. Mentoring does not take place during school vacations. Mentoring does not occur outside of school hours or off school grounds.
Community-based programs take place after school and work hours, usually on the weekends. Mentors are generally required to commit to 4-6 hours per month, for a minimum of 12 months (though some programs require 18 months). Community-based mentoring programs happen out in the community: you can take your mentee to a library, a park, or anywhere else you decided upon.
Site-based mentoring takes place at a specified location outside of school, like a Boys and Girls Club, for every meeting. Mentors usually meet with mentees for one hour per week, for 6 months to a year, but this requirement can change depending on the program.
one-to-one mentoring refers to a one mentor to one mentee ratio.
Group mentoring means that there is a minimum of one adult matched to at most, four youth.
Yes! Every program that is a part of our network must provide a minimum of two hours opf intiial training to mentors. Some programs provide even more!
MENTOR Rhode Island offers additonal training through our innovative workshops. You can check them out on our calendar.
Your Program Director or Coordinator will check in with you throughout the course of your mentoring experience. Best Practice suggests this occurs once a month – but you can check in with your support staffany time you need to!
Generally, we encourage mentors and mentees to determine their activities together! Some programs will offer special opportunities to engage in workshops or prepared activities, like cooking classes or movie nights, and some programs serve a certain interest gorup that determines the type of activites, like an arts- or sports-focused program.
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