Washtenaw Youth Mentoring Coalition- What is a mentor?

“Sally,” a college student with severe cerebral palsy who communicates through a computer and uses a power wheelchair, was considering dropping out of college because the communication barrier frustrated her efforts in class. Her mentor, “Alice,” who also has CP and who recently graduated from Eastern Michigan University, taught Sally about the studying techniques she used and expressed sympathy for her frustration. As a result, Sally is still in school, well on her way to earning a bachelor’s degree that will enable her to earn an income and live independently.

A mentor is a caring adult who devotes time to a young person. Mentors help young people achieve their potential and discover their strengths.

Mentors do not replace a parent, guardian or teacher. A mentor is not a disciplinarian or
decision-maker for their mentee. A mentor is part of a team of caring adults. Mentors are
“life coaches” for youth, similar to a sports coach for an athlete.

A mentor’s main purpose is to help a young person define individual goals and find ways
to achieve them.

By sharing fun activities and exposing a youth to new experiences, a mentor encourages
positive choices, promotes high self-esteem, supports academic achievement, and introduces
the young person to new ideas.

There are many types of mentoring. Sometimes the different types
overlap. It is important to understand the type of mentoring you
will be doing as a volunteer with a local organization so that you
can better understand what to expect.

Informal mentoring is a natural or unstructured connection
between a caring adult and a young person that validates
the youth and creates a safe, supportive and positive
relationship outside of an organized, mentoring-focused
program. These mentors can be neighbors, coaches,
teachers or other adults in a child or youth’s life.

Formal mentoring is a connection between a caring adult and a young person that validates
the youth and creates a safe, supportive and positive relationship where the participants
come together through an organized, mentoring-focused program, such as a member
of the Washtenaw Mentoring Coalition.

                               Individual mentoring involves forming a one-on-one relationship
                               between a youth and an adult. Although these matches may have
                               contact with other people, the focus of the relationship is on these
                               two individuals.

Group mentoring links a small group of youth who work with a caring
adult, such as a sports coach or a scout leader.

                               Community-based mentoring is usually supported by local organizations
                               focusing on the young person’s quality of life within the local community.
                               Matches in these programs will typically spend their visits enjoying a
                               variety of activities including sports, crafts, eating out, exploring parks
                               and museums and other hobbies.

School-based mentoring occurs at the school and most often is focused on academics.
The mentor and mentee meet regularly to work on school assignments and form a relationship.
This is sometimes called tutoring.

Occupational mentoring links an adult who shares his/her knowledge and experience in
a particular career with someone interested in the same field. The mentor assists the mentee
in developing skills necessary for the field of work.

Each organization within the Washtenaw Youth Mentoring Coalition uses different types of
mentoring. To help us find the best placement for you, it is helpful to us if you let us know
what type of mentoring interests you or you feel best matches your skills and abilities.

For more information on becoming a mentor or mentee, contact Anna Dusbiber-Gossage,
Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living’s Youth Services Coordinator,
3941 Research Park Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48108, (734) 971-0277 x17, anna@aacil.org.

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Contact The Washtenaw Youth Mentoring Coalition Jennifer Chapin-Smith, Community Mentorship Coordinator
(734) 971-0277 x23 or by email: jchapin@aacil.org