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What is Mentoring?
Why would a child need a mentor?
Where do the mentors come from?
Do I have a say in who my child is matched with?
What do I do to apply to get a mentor?
How could I find the time to be a friend to a child?
I don’t know if I could afford to take a child out once a week, or every other week.
What if I travel frequently for my job or for leisure?
I don’t have much experience with kids
How much personal liability is involved?
Will this be a bad influence on my own children?
Are all of the kids difficult to work with and lacking respect for adults?
Do I have to drive a long distance to be a mentor?
Am I good enough to be a role model?
Parents
What is Mentoring?
It's all about inspiring child or youth to be their greatest self through an adult friendship. Our matches (the mentor and child or mentee) spend a minimum of 6 hours a month together, typically once a week or every other week, for one year. Matches often continue beyond that.
Why would a child need a mentor?
All kids need positive caring adults in their lives. With families being spread out geographically, and many families split up by divorce - access to adults may be limited. Some kids simply need extra attention or a boost in self-esteem. Some need more opportunities to experience positive leisure activities.
What about me - the parent?
The parent's role always comes first. The mentor isn’t 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 the community who truly like kids. Mentors believe in the philosophy takes a village to raise a child. Our mentor application process is thorough - requiring four references, a criminal background check, an extensive interview, and an orientation 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 - and we give you the opportunity to meet and talk to the mentor prior to the match appointment.
What do I do to apply to get a mentor?
Contact the Bridges: Kinship Mentoring office at 326-4700. We will send you a parent application and a youth application to complete. Both are fairly brief. When we receive them back from you, we will set up a time to interview you and your child so that we have an opportunity to get to know you and have a good idea of the kind of person you'd like as a mentor for your child.
Mentors
How could I find the time to be a friend to a child?
We have heard from many volunteers that the rewards often surpass their investment of time. They also tell us that including the kids in what they were already planning to do takes a minimal amount of additional time from their weekly schedule. Bridges Kinship Mentoring asks for a 6 hours-per-month one year commitment, however many mentors will commit more time).
I don’t know if I could afford to take a child out once a week, or every other week.
Rather than spoiling kids with costly outings, we’ve discovered that simply the time together is the most valuable resource adults can provide. Time together might involve playing a board game, making a meal, doing odd jobs around the house, washing the car, flying a kite at the park, etc. Kids do need exposure to special events and fun outings, too, and Bridges participants receive discounts at a number of community businesses and organizations (i.e. the Reif Center and Midway Bowl, to name just a couple). Bridges also plans activities that are free for both the mentor and mentee. Click here to view our Event Calendar.
What if I travel frequently for my job or for leisure?
The kids in our program enjoy receiving post cards or phone calls from many of our volunteers that travel regularly for work or leisure. Although it’s great when Mentors are able to select a constant weekly meeting time with their kids, for many it varies from week to week.
I’m busy with my own family
One of the great things about Kinship is that couples and families can volunteer together. Instead of pulling families apart, Kinship can strengthen them through common volunteer involvement. Your children, or perhaps grandchildren, can interact with your mentee, too.
Would a child like me?
Adult-child matches are carefully made, based upon interest, location, gender and other preferences. The child and his/her parent or guardian have the final approval of the Mentor. Bridges: Kinship staff consistently monitors the matches and if difficulties arise, we provide assistance. Few matches end because of incompatibility.
Am I too old to mentor?
Some of our mentors take on a role similar to a grandparent. The kids don’t see age as a problem. Anyone willing to share their time and interests is commonly welcomed.
I don’t have much experience with kids
You don’t need experience to be a friend. Additionally, Bridges staff provides ongoing support when questions or concerns arise.
How much personal liability is involved?
Bridges Kinship works to diminish participant liability by carefully screening program participants and meets the rigorous Kinship Inc. standards. Bridges Kinship Mentoring has liability insurance which also covers volunteers Mentors.
Will this be a bad influence on my own children?
If you have children at home, Bridges Kinship takes them into account when matching you with a child. Giving and helping others is often the kind of legacy parents want to leave with their children.
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Are all of the kids difficult to work with and lacking respect for adults?
Bridges has a variety of kids waiting for mentors. Click here to see our Waiting Kids. Your preferences and comfort level are taken into consideration Starting with kids as young as five, we’re often able to intervene when the kids are still open to adult involvement. Through having adults who keep their promises, the kids learn to trust. This lays the groundwork for respectful behavior.
Do I have to drive a long distance to be a mentor?
Usually we’re able to match a mentor and mentee within a 15 minutes drive of one another.
Am I good enough to be a role model?
Kids aren’t looking for perfection. Rather, they’re just interested in spending time one who’s willing to share their life’s experience. Ordinary people can make extraordinary mentors.
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