Purpose
Sparking enthusiasm in education and employment, reduction of social isolation, and a positive outlook in life. These are some of the many impacts we witness an adult mentor can make on an adult mentee. We invite you to be part of these transformations by becoming a mentor.
Your interest in becoming a mentor has the potential to be the beginning of someone else’s positive life trajectory. All we ask more than your time and commitment is compassion, and your openness to learn from us on how to be an effective mentor. As a mentor, you will be matched with a mentee from the YSM’s Adult program
Your most important role as a mentor is to build a trusting mentoring relationship with your mentee that will serve as a space for connection, companionship, celebration, and most of all, empowerment of your mentee.
What does the Mentor role look include?
Providing a consistent and secure mentoring relationship
Help process emotions of your mentee
Role modeling
Providing encouragement
Be a listening ear
Supporting the goals of your mentee
Providing a long term perspective to your mentee
Recognize and celebrate the success of your mentee
Communicate regularly at least once a month with YSM staff
Commitment for one year of mentoring relationship and meet with your mentee for 2 -4 times per month
What does it take to be a mentor? What does the Mentor role look include?
Strong capacity for empathy and perspective-taking
Able to shelve their own agenda in favor of the needs of their mentee
Patience and perseverance in building a mentoring relationship
Mature and have overcome challenges in life
Have a strong interest in the development of their mentee
Willingness to attend mentor training and learn with YSM and with other mentors
Able to demonstrate healthy boundaries and respect their mentee’s boundaries
Personal experience overcoming, interacting with or experienccing poverty or poverty reduction is a benefit, but not a requirement
What are the benefits of a mentor?
The joy of witnessing the qualitative transformation of your mentee through your mentoring
A deeper understanding of the complexity of poverty in Toronto through the experience of the mentee
Opportunity to further develop leadership, professional modelling, interpersonal, and supportive skills
If you have any questions, would like more information or would like to apply, please contact Nicholas at nchuba@ysm.ca