Description
Civic Mentoring is a 24-week program which is offered for 10-weeks during the Fall season and 14-weeks in the Spring. These structured community-based classes, open to the general public, meet for a 2-hour session either one or two times per week. Mentors work with participants in mentoring teams as a community of peers. Active engagement in an integrated setting using an innovative project-based learning framework taps into the inherent abilities of our young people. Through their learning experiences, they are able to build self-confidence and a range of skills, providing a sense of direction.
Opportunities are organized into specific themes or topics areas each season, from various types of creative arts to academic and/or professional focuses aimed towards independence at our center and with community partners who share our passion for guiding teens and young adults. Strengths and interests are the entry point… helping participants to find and follow their bliss! Interns are involved with groupwork, enabling an inclusive environment where many ideas are shared as everyone has the chance to learn and grow together.
We recognize the importance of strengthening the innate light in every individual. Viewing our young people through new lenses and educating them in more creative and natural ways, their lives are impacted for the positive and the experiences benefit the community as a whole. Interested parties should contact us for details as program content, format and structure varies.
The application process enables appropriate matches to be made between mentors and mentees. Initial intake includes input from parents/caregivers, program participants and their prospective mentors to establish a collaborative relationship. We then weave the small groups who participate together into a cohesive whole based strengths, interest areas, and skill levels. Our Skills Development Plan establishes goals and the methods by which they will be achieved, understanding that the plan has built-in flexibility considering situational factors.
Professional oversight and advising is provided by our executive director and case managers. Administrative tracking and seasonal assessments are conducted at which time, guidance services may be recommended. Each season ends with a culmination activity to demonstrate knowledge gained and skills developed.
College students interested in becoming mentors should complete the Become a Civic Mentor Application. Mentors will take part in formal training and participate in our Project Stewardship program for the duration of time spent mentoring one of our young people in order to continue relationship building, receiving guidance, and developing insight.
