Things to consider
What types of activities interest you? You can help youth develop a specific skill, pursue an interest, learn about a subject or simply get to know them and be their friend.
What age group interests you? Youth of all ages benefits from a mentoring relationship. Would you be more comfortable one-on-one, or with a small group of young people?
How much time do you have? Be realistic about the responsibilities involved with mentoring a young person. If you are not sure about mentoring a young person for at least six months, consider trying a shorter-term volunteer opportunity. Here’s what one mentor told us, "You don't know in advance how rewarding it is going to be, so you are worried about the responsibility of giving your time consistently. The irony is that one I started doing it, I didn't want to miss a session."
Think about organizations in your community that might have mentoring opportunities that match your interests. Use your personal contacts:
- Ask family and friends who volunteer
- Ask someone who handles community affairs or charitable contributions at your office
- Ask your minister, rabbi, priest, or someone who handles community outreach where you worship
- Ask organizers and other members of service clubs, civic groups, fraternities, sororities, or professional associations you belong to
52 Things to do with your Mentee
1. Set your mentoring goals together
2. Tackle some homework.
3. Make dinner together.
4. Go out for dinner together.
5. Make popcorn and talk.
6. Go to a movie.
7. Go to a concert.
8. Shoot some hoops.
9. Go to the library together.
10. Just hang out.
11. Figure out how to program your VCR.
12. Learn about pop music.
13. Talk about life.
14. Give a tour of your current job.
15. Talk about your very first job.
16. Talk about planning a career.
17. Plan a career.
18. Get together with friends from work.
19. Take tours of friends' jobs.
20. Visit a local technical school.
21. Visit a community college.
22. Talk about college.
23. Have your friends talk about college.
24. Sit in on some evening classes.
25. Work on applications together.
26. Explore financial aid options.
27. Work on a resume.
28. Talk about dressing for success.
29. Do a pretend job interview.
30. Talk about how to look for a job.
31. Talk about where to find a job.
32. Find a summer job.
33. Set up a work internship.
34. Talk about networking.
35. Talk about what it takes to get ahead.
36. Talk about health insurance.
37. Talk about taxes.
38. Talk about balancing work and life.
39. Talk about balancing a checkbook.
40. Talk about balancing a budget.
41. Talk about living with one's means.
42. Talk about credit cards.
43. Go bargain hunting.
44. Plan a week's worth of meals.
45. Do a week's grocery shopping together.
46. Go holiday shopping.
47. Write thank-you notes.
48. Go to a house of worship.
49. Celebrate a friend's religious holiday.
50. Talk about relationships.
51. Talk about personal values.
52. Talk about the future. |
