Designing a Mentoring Program for Neglected Youth Laura Schleede, Journey 4-H Youth Mentoring Molly Frendo, Michigan 4-H Youth Development Jamie, Journey 4-H Mentee

Jamie’s Story

Journey 4-H Youth Mentoring Partnership with Ottawa County Family Court, Juvenile ServicesPartnership with Ottawa County Family Court, Juvenile Services Matches court involved youth with screened volunteersMatches court involved youth with screened volunteers Volunteers complete 12 hours of pre- match trainingVolunteers complete 12 hours of pre- match training Matches commit to meet for at least two hours a week for a minimum of eighteen monthsMatches commit to meet for at least two hours a week for a minimum of eighteen months Mission is to reduce frequency and severity of delinquent behavior by matching court involved youth with a caring adult friend and role modelMission is to reduce frequency and severity of delinquent behavior by matching court involved youth with a caring adult friend and role model

Changing Lives Mentors provide support to youth and familiesMentors provide support to youth and families Mentors teach skillsMentors teach skills Mentors and program staff provide:Mentors and program staff provide: –Youth with supervision during critical after-school hours –Referrals for needed services –A respite for parents Mentors help youth learn how to communicate better within the family, at school and sociallyMentors help youth learn how to communicate better within the family, at school and socially Exposure to community serviceExposure to community service

Mentor Recruitment Targeted recruitment of stable adultsTargeted recruitment of stable adults Emphasis on long term commitmentEmphasis on long term commitment Consider people with history in helping professionsConsider people with history in helping professions Communicate need for flexibilityCommunicate need for flexibility

Mentor Screening Be selectiveBe selective Mentors need to be flexible and able to adapt to circumstancesMentors need to be flexible and able to adapt to circumstances Patience- not pushyPatience- not pushy Complete background checkComplete background check Interview and references are crucialInterview and references are crucial

Possible Interview and Reference Questions Ask references to comment on the candidate’s ability to commit to a long term matchAsk references to comment on the candidate’s ability to commit to a long term match Ask the reference how the candidate handles unexpected events and changesAsk the reference how the candidate handles unexpected events and changes Ask candidate to respond to various role play scenariosAsk candidate to respond to various role play scenarios Ask the volunteer how they role model good behavior (patience, communication, etc.)Ask the volunteer how they role model good behavior (patience, communication, etc.)

Mentor Training Mentors with less than two hours of pre-match training report the lowest levels of closeness and supportiveness with their mentees. Mentors with less than two hours of pre-match training report the lowest levels of closeness and supportiveness with their mentees. (Herrera, Sipe & McClanahan, 2000; Rhodes 2002) Mentors with six or more hours of pre-match training report the strongest relationships.Mentors with six or more hours of pre-match training report the strongest relationships. (Herrera., Sipe & McClanahan, 2000; Rhodes 2002) Training provides mentoring staff with an opportunity to learn more about volunteers and understand areas in which the mentor may need additional support or trainingTraining provides mentoring staff with an opportunity to learn more about volunteers and understand areas in which the mentor may need additional support or training

Mentor Training Training topicsTraining topics –Reporting abuse and neglect –Boundaries and program policies –Communication –Youth development –Building relationships –Cultural sensitivity –Understanding the role of a mentor

Matching Complete comprehensive intake with youth to get to know the youth and their needsComplete comprehensive intake with youth to get to know the youth and their needs Consider compatibility (interests, personality types, skills)Consider compatibility (interests, personality types, skills) Match meetingMatch meeting Set clear goals/ contractSet clear goals/ contract Provide an initial activity for the match to complete togetherProvide an initial activity for the match to complete together

Match Support Communicate with mentor, youth and family on a regular basisCommunicate with mentor, youth and family on a regular basis –Progress reports –Phone – –Face to face Ensure that staff are trained and aware of resources for familiesEnsure that staff are trained and aware of resources for families Provide social recreational, educational and service activities for matchesProvide social recreational, educational and service activities for matches Ask for youth feedback and ideasAsk for youth feedback and ideas Provide safe opportunities for youth leadershipProvide safe opportunities for youth leadership

Match Closure Plan ahead- this is a process, not a meetingPlan ahead- this is a process, not a meeting Talk about future contactTalk about future contact Provide an opportunity for mentors and mentees to share feedbackProvide an opportunity for mentors and mentees to share feedback Determine if youth or mentor want to be re-matchedDetermine if youth or mentor want to be re-matched “ Where would I be without Cal? Well, either I would be in jail or dead. Before my mentor I thought that life kind of sucked, but now I don’t. Sometimes I think he get’s disappointed because he wants even more for me- he really believes in me. What he doesn’t always realize is how far I’ve come. Now I even want to graduate and, you know, I want to live.” -Journey 4-H mentee 16 years old, matched for 4 years

Jamie: My Life Now TrampolineTrampoline Your time and energy is worth itYour time and energy is worth it Thank you for doing what you do!Thank you for doing what you do!

Questions? Laura Schleede Program Assistant Journey 4H Youth Mentoring Ottawa County MSU Extension 333 Clinton Grand Haven, MI Molly Frendo Associate Program Leader 4H Mentor Michigan Initiative MSU Extension 160 Agriculture Hall E. Lansing, MI