The Mentoring Initiative of the Franklin Center of Beaver County seeks to empower youth in Beaver County to make positive life choices that enable them to maximize their potential. The mentoring program uses adult volunteers to commit to supporting, guiding, and being a friend to a young person for a period of at least one year. By becoming part of the social network of adults and community members who care about the youth, the mentor can help youth develop and reach positive academic, career, and personal goals.

Mentor Role

• Take the lead in supporting a young person through an ongoing, one-to-one relationship

• Serve as a positive role model and friend

• Build the relationship by planning and participating in activities together

• Strive for mutual respect

• Build self-esteem

• Help set goals and work toward accomplishing them

Time Commitment

• Make a one-year commitment

• Spend a minimum of 6 hours per month one-to-one or one-to-two with a mentee(s)

• Communicate with mentee weekly

• Attend an initial two-hour orientation and a two-hour training session and additional two-hour training sessions once monthly for a year

• Attend optional mentor/mentee group events, mentor support groups, and program recognition events

Participation Requirements

• Be interested in working with young people

• Be willing to adhere to all program policies and procedures

• Be willing to complete the application and screening process

• Be dependable and consistent in meeting the time commitments

• Attend mentor training sessions as prescribed

• Be willing to communicate regularly with program staff, submit activity information, and take constructive feedback regarding mentoring activities

• Have access to an automobile, auto insurance, and a good driving record (although you will not be asked as a part of the program to transport youth in your vehicle)

• Have a clean criminal history

• Not use illicit drugs

• Not use alcohol or controlled substances in an inappropriate manner

• Not be currently in treatment for substance abuse and have a non-addictive period of at least five years

• Not be currently in treatment for a mental disorder or hospitalized for such in the past

Desirable Qualities

• Willing listener

• Encouraging and supportive

• Patient and flexible

• Tolerant and respectful of individual differences

Benefits

• Personal fulfillment through contribution to community and individual

• Satisfaction in helping someone mature, progress, and achieve goals

• Training sessions and group activities

• Participation in a mentor support group

• Mileage and expenses are tax deductible

• Personal ongoing support, supervision to help the match succeed

• Mentee/mentor group activities, complimentary tickets to community events, participant recognition events

Application and Screening Process

• Written application

• Criminal history check: state, child abuse and neglect registry, sexual offender registry

• Personal interview

• Provide three personal references

• Attend two-hour mentor training

For more information, contact the Aliquippa Alliance for Unity and Development at 724-378-7422, or email Sandra Edwards at sedwards@aaud.org.

Minorities and Women encouraged to apply!