| What is mentoring? |
| |
A mentor is an adult who befriends a younger person.
It's all about being friends, sharing common interests, and being
exposed to new interests. It's about teaching new skills to the
youngster. At Kinship Partners, the mentor and child normally spend 2 – 3 hours a week together and commit to a one relationship year.
Often the match will continue beyond that first year. |
| Why would a child need a mentor? |
| |
All kids need many positive caring adults in their
life. With families being spread out geographically, and many
families separated for a variety of reasons, access to adults may be
limited. Some kids simply need extra attention or a boost in their self-esteem. Some need more opportunities to experience positive
leisure activities. Some may need a little help with their social
skills. |
| What about me - the parent? |
| |
The parent's role always comes first. The mentor is
not there to replace the parent's authority or role. He or she is
there to be another special adult in the life of your child - much
like a favorite aunt or uncle, grandma or grandpa. Studies have
shown that many parents experience an improved relationship with
their child after their child has been matched with a mentor. |
| Where do the mentors come from? |
| |
They are caring adults in your community who truly
like kids. Kinship Partners staff often speak with churches and
civic groups, encouraging adults to consider being mentors. The
mentor application process is thorough - providing three references, a criminal background check, and an extensive interview prior to
being matched. Our mentors tell us they enjoy the mentoring
relationship as much as the child! |
| Do I have a say in who my child is
matched with? |
| |
Absolutely! The parent always has the final
approval. You know your child best. We encourage your input and
frank discussion during the match process. |
| How do I apply to get a mentor? |
| |
Contact the Kinship Partners office. You will be
sent a parent application and a child application to complete. Both
are fairly brief. Upon completion, we will set up a time to
interview you and your child so that we have an opportunity to get
to know you and understand the kind of person you'd like as a mentor
for your child. |
