Civic Mentoring is a 24-week program which is offered for 10-weeks during the Fall season and 14-weeks in the Spring. Mentors work one-on-one with program participants and in mentoring teams either one or two days per week to build a range of skills from executive function and social-communications to leadership skills using a project-based learning framework which taps into our youth’s inherent abilities while increasing self-esteem.
Opportunities include innovative customized activities and are also directed towards college and career preparation and readiness at our center and in community settings. Strengths and interests are the entry point… helping young people to find and follow their bliss! We work with various community partner organizations who share our passion for guiding our youth.
The application process enables appropriate matches to be made between mentor and mentee. Our initial intake meeting includes the parent/caregiver, the program participant and their prospective mentor to establish a relationship and collect information about strengths, interest areas, and lagging skills. Our Skills Development Plan establishes goals and the methods by which they will be achieved, understanding that the plan has built-in flexibility that considers situational factors.
We recognize the importance of strengthening the innate light in every individual. Viewing our youth 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.
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 for young adults and their families. 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 adults in order to continue relationship building, develop insight and receive guidance.