3 Questions with Narrative Changer Stephen Powell
The Benefits of Mentoring
@MrMentorSteve
1. What are the benefits or as many ask, what is the return on investment with regards to mentoring?
Stephen Powell: Simply put; any society that takes care of its children also takes care of its future. Mentoring programs have a unique opportunity, outside of typical classroom instruction, to support youth and families by providing access to information regarding healthy lifestyles, financial education, academic support, post-secondary education, and career placement. Mentoring exchanges can also teach children how to resolve conflict, develop character, build cultural and spiritual esteem, and avoid contact with the criminal justice system. The benefits for mentors include: being leaders in transformational teaching; having a sense of purpose; and seeing an increase in workplace productivity and corporate social responsibility for mentors from the business community.
2. What makes mentoring effective?
Stephen Powell: Mentoring is most effective when the focus is on beyond just creating a great program; a great mentoring culture must be created to sustain the effort. Effective mentoring also takes place when boundaries are established and the expectation of all stakeholders--mentors, mentees, parents, program directors, etc.-is clear and measurable. Mentoring is also effective when the mentor is well-trained, screened, and can receive on-going training and match support to mitigate challenges that may arise.
3. Explain the various types of mentoring? And how can someone become a mentor?
Stephen Powell: It's important to first note that mentoring can take place formally or informally. Informally-via aunts, uncles, grandparents, clergy, barbers, coaches and other caring adults who provide guidance while interacting with a child during the critical developmental years. And formally-when mentoring takes place under the auspices of a structured program in a school, business, place of worship, residential facility or non-profit agency. Within the bandwidth of formal mentoring, you will find community-based mentoring, e-mentoring, site-based mentoring, peer mentoring, and group mentoring.
Stephen Powell: And how can someone become a mentor? Identify a local agency our group in your community that is using sound and relevant elements of effective practice. For national assistance in identifying such groups, visit http://www.serve.gov/?q=site-page/mentoring or www.mentoringusa.org
Stephen Powell
Executive Director
Mentoring USA
5 Hanover Square, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10004
Office: 212-400-8284
Fax: 212-400-8278
Visit Us On The Web: www.mentoringusa.org
Like Us On Facebook: www.facebook.comMentoring-USA
Follow Us On Twitter: @mentoringusa
Text “MENTOR” to 40579 and a $5 donation will be made to Mentoring USA through your cell phone bill. Text up to 5 times ($25) per day.
Stephen Powell: Simply put; any society that takes care of its children also takes care of its future. Mentoring programs have a unique opportunity, outside of typical classroom instruction, to support youth and families by providing access to information regarding healthy lifestyles, financial education, academic support, post-secondary education, and career placement. Mentoring exchanges can also teach children how to resolve conflict, develop character, build cultural and spiritual esteem, and avoid contact with the criminal justice system. The benefits for mentors include: being leaders in transformational teaching; having a sense of purpose; and seeing an increase in workplace productivity and corporate social responsibility for mentors from the business community.
2. What makes mentoring effective?
Stephen Powell: Mentoring is most effective when the focus is on beyond just creating a great program; a great mentoring culture must be created to sustain the effort. Effective mentoring also takes place when boundaries are established and the expectation of all stakeholders--mentors, mentees, parents, program directors, etc.-is clear and measurable. Mentoring is also effective when the mentor is well-trained, screened, and can receive on-going training and match support to mitigate challenges that may arise.
3. Explain the various types of mentoring? And how can someone become a mentor?
Stephen Powell: It's important to first note that mentoring can take place formally or informally. Informally-via aunts, uncles, grandparents, clergy, barbers, coaches and other caring adults who provide guidance while interacting with a child during the critical developmental years. And formally-when mentoring takes place under the auspices of a structured program in a school, business, place of worship, residential facility or non-profit agency. Within the bandwidth of formal mentoring, you will find community-based mentoring, e-mentoring, site-based mentoring, peer mentoring, and group mentoring.
Stephen Powell: And how can someone become a mentor? Identify a local agency our group in your community that is using sound and relevant elements of effective practice. For national assistance in identifying such groups, visit http://www.serve.gov/?q=site-page/mentoring or www.mentoringusa.org
Stephen Powell
Executive Director
Mentoring USA
5 Hanover Square, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10004
Office: 212-400-8284
Fax: 212-400-8278
Visit Us On The Web: www.mentoringusa.org
Like Us On Facebook: www.facebook.comMentoring-USA
Follow Us On Twitter: @mentoringusa
Text “MENTOR” to 40579 and a $5 donation will be made to Mentoring USA through your cell phone bill. Text up to 5 times ($25) per day.