Mentor

Responsibilities:

• Support children and youth with social or life skills by providing positive role modeling in a variety of activities that boost self-esteem and build on existing skills.
• Take the children and youth to community locations and participate in age-appropriate activities based on their interests.
• Provide meaningful opportunities for the children and youth to discuss topics of importance to them.
• Create awareness about community resources and recreational opportunities.
• Be respectful of the child, youth and family’s privacy at all times.
• Meet with the caseworker and child/youth to set mentoring goals and plan for the placement activities.
• Maintain consistent communication with caseworker and Volunteer Services by submitting monthly reports, mileage and expense forms and other communications as required.
• Share with caregiver any situations that may have occurred during your mentor/mentee outing.
• Work collaboratively and respectfully with staff and family members who are supporting child/youth.
• Use an equity lens with a respectful and inclusive approach.
• Be sensitive to all unique needs of caregivers, children/youth and the family.
• Use your sense of judgement to determine when or if any additional support from the caseworker is needed.
• Reflect the Agency’s Core Values, which are Open, Respectful, Caring, Honest, Collaborative.
• Maintain and role model boundaries in the volunteer and client relationship – if in doubt connect with caseworker or Volunteer services.

Time Frame: 2-4 hours per week

Length of Commitment: 6 months to 1 year

Preferred Qualifications:

• Maturity, sensitivity and ability to relate to children/families/caseworkers.
• Good active listening skills and the ability to show empathy.
• Previous experience in mentoring or working one-on-one with children/youth is very helpful in this role.
• Patient, flexible with strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to provide a consistent commitment of two hours per week for the duration of the volunteer assignment (6 months- 1 year)
• Strong interpersonal skills; able to build relationships with a diverse group of people.
• Ability to communicate effectively and positively interact with people across different cultures.
• Access to reliable transportation (while having access to a vehicle is not mandatory, it does make it easier to find an assignment match. It is also easier to access community locations with mentee).
• If a volunteer is able to provide transportation to their mentee, the following are required: G license, access to a safe and reliable vehicle, 1 million dollars liability automobile insurance, driver’s abstract (3-year uncertified driver record).
• General awareness of the Child Welfare system.
• Understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion and its impact on working with children, youth and families.

Benefits:

• Satisfaction in providing a child/youth with positive adult role modeling.
• Positively impact a child’s/youth’s self-esteem, social skills/ life skills
• Developing engagement skills with children/youth
• Opportunity to explore resources and recreational opportunities in the community
• Satisfaction in facilitating a child/youth’s progression in achieving their goals
• Understanding of Child Welfare and its practices
• Practice recording/reporting skills
• Making a positive and lasting impact in the life of a child/youth
• Expenses reimbursed

To start the process, please complete the Volunteer Application form. We will then contact you to schedule your interview. After completing onboarding, mandatory background checks and volunteer training, you’re ready to roll.