Community Helping Adolescents Cope Effectively

C.H.A.N.C.E. Mentoring

Program Coordinator, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Program Description:

Mentoring is the process of encouraging, teaching, sponsoring and guiding the development of another individual. It is a special bond of mutual commitment. Everyone needs someone who cares.

Through its one to one worker program, the Youth Diversion Program matches adult volunteers with at risk youth. These youth have been referred by social workers, school personnel, mental health professionals, probation officers, other professionals and parents. They are at risk because they are exposed to high levels of risk in the family, home, community and social environment which may lead to educational failure, early school leaving, delinquent behaviour, substance use, or other antisocial behaviour. Volunteers develop a therapeutic relationship with the youth in order to achieve goals established by the program and the referring agent. This is accomplished by engaging in a variety of social, recreational and educational activities.

Mentoring programs for at risk youth have existed for over 100 years. The most famous of these are the Big Brothers and Big Sisters organizations. Recent research examining the impact of these types of programs on participating youth has indicated the following:

• In Calgary, there was a 75% improvement in school grades and attendance and 90% improvement in social skills with peers. Also, over 80% were gainfully employed after 10 years compared with a control group where 65% were in receipt of social assistance;
• In California, there was a 46% reduction in the initiation of drug use, and a 27% reduction in the initiation of alcohol use. Over 59% of the youth improved their grades, and 52% reported an improved ability to stay out of trouble;
• A study across the United States found the quality of the relationships with family was significantly better for the youth;
• There was a 31% reduction in violence among the youth involved in a mentoring program; and,
• A study completed on delinquent girls showed that 80% involved in the program did not re-offend.

As can be seen there is tremendous value in the mentoring relationship. The following pages will help the volunteer to be an effective mentor for at risk youth.

Position Description:

Mentors are volunteers who are matched with a young person in a one to one relationship. Matches are based on similarity across a number of variables including:

• interests (eg. recreation, leisure);
• goals (eg. vocational, educational, achievement);
• demographics (eg. background, life experience/problems);
• gender, ethnic, or cultural backgrounds;
• access and availability;
• level of risk and need; and,
• other personal variables.

The volunteers are expected to act as role models, mentors and advocates. They are expected to commit a minimum of 6-9 months to the program. Mentors meet with the youth at least 8 hours per month. This usually means 2-3 hours per week, as well as telephone contact as required. Volunteers will have weekly contact with program staff (usually by phone) and are expected to attend bi-monthly meetings. At these meetings, specialists from selected fields will be available to provide information on specific youth related subjects (for example, child abuse, substance use, etc.)

Mentoring Goals:

Successful mentoring depends on the volunteer achieving the following objectives:

1. Establish a relationship based on mutual respect and trust.
2. Provide opportunities and positive experiences through which the youth can explore interests and activities that are pro-social.
3. Achieve the youth's specific goals established by the referring agent and the program coordinator.
4. Model positive behaviours to the youth.

In most circumstances, the youth is living with his/her family. The role of the volunteer is to support the youth in their surroundings, and to assist them to deal with their day to day reality. The volunteer must work cooperatively with the family, and display respect to the youth's parents and siblings. Ideally, the volunteer will have a limited yet cordial relationship with other family members. The volunteer does not replace a family member but rather provides support for the youth in that family.

Training and Orientation:

Prior to being matched with a young person, the volunteer will be provided with the volunteer manual, and the Program Director will ensure that all aspects of the manual are clearly understood. An updated list of program and community resources will be made available to the volunteer in order to assist in the planning of activities with the youth. The Director and volunteer will ensure that all screening requirements have been met and that the volunteer is able to make the commitment necessary for a successful mentoring experience

Once a youth is chosen for the match, the volunteer will be oriented to the youth's background, family dynamics, potential problems, and any other issues that may be relevant to the young person. The volunteer will be introduced to other agencies and professionals working with the youth.

Throughout the volunteer's involvement with the Program, meetings and workshops will be available as the interest demands. Volunteers are encouraged to utilize these opportunities in order to broaden their knowledge of youth related issues. Other training opportunities arise from time to time where limited numbers of volunteers can attend workshops held by other organizations. A current list is available at the office and is published in the Program's newsletter.

Conduct Expected:

Mentors set standards of performance for the youth. Volunteers are expected to conduct themselves, and present themselves as law-abiding people. This is particularly critical when dealing with a youth who may be in conflict with the law. Through this kind of role modeling, youth can see alternative forms of behaviour, and also appreciate that life can be (more) fun without breaking the law. As one experienced mentor said "be who you say you are and let your actions reflect your words".

It is also very important that volunteers do not question or criticize persons in authority when with the youth. If there are situations where the volunteer disagrees with such a person's decision or point of view, the Program Director should be made aware of the circumstances of the conflict. The Director will work in partnership with the volunteer and youth to resolve the conflict. While questioning authority is far from being wrong, it can result in the youth misinterpreting the criticism due to their lack of maturity.

When the volunteer is with the young person, generally the youth is on his or her best behaviour. At times however, the youth may display inappropriate behaviour. At no time should the volunteer use any form of physical intervention or restraint to deal with these situations.

Successful Mentoring:

Mentoring is not a one way street. Volunteers say they receive as much out of the experience as they give.