A youth mentor is a caring and supportive adult figure who guides and influences youth unconditionally.
The benefits of becoming a youth mentor are plentiful. By becoming a mentor, you are offering a child the guidance and skills they need in order to become an effective and productive member of our community. You are inspiring them to achieve their goals and dreams. You are equipping them with the tools they need for success and most importantly you are offering them your trust, your support and your friendship.
It’s sad today to think that more than 40% of our youth are at low to high levels of risk and have no role model figure in their lives. According to a police conducted survey in 2002, more than 34% of Americans alone have turned to gang membership, drugs, and alcohol in lieu of a strong and secure social foundation. They don’t know where to go, who to turn to, or how to get out.
This is where mentors step into the picture. We offer those who seek it; the advice, knowledge and skills they need to succeed. We offer them alternatives to the path they may be taking and allow them to pursue the person it is they want to be. In a conducted survey, more than 25% of adolescents aren’t happy with who they are today, but don’t know how to change it. We can work on changing this by creating safe places and opportunities for youth to come to and explore.
As a mentor, you must lead by example yourself. It is not enough to say one thing and yet do another or even worse, not to do anything at all. You must possess a strong, but open mind, to be able to lead and cope with some of the personal issues you may find yourself facing.
As a youth mentor, what is expected of me?
As a youth mentor you are expected to be a role model and confidante for a person who is younger than you.You will become a very important aspect in all parts of their life, i.e. school, extra curricular activities, and career. You are expected to communicate with them in an honest, yet effective manner. You should be able to captivate and motivate the youth and give them goals to strive for.
I’m ready to be a youth mentor, but where do I start?
If you’ve decided that you have the time and the devotion to be able to commit to a youth, then your next step is to find an organization where you can volunteer. Some fantastic organizations include Big Brothers and Sisters, Scouts, Guides, Boys and Girls Clubs, Cadets, and many, many more!
Other options available for becoming a mentor are through private organizations. You may be required to take some formal training in order to work with a private company, however there are many rewarding courses and programs out there that will help you to get the skills and qualifications you need.
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