Mentor and Mentee Applications

Click here to download Mentor Application
Click here to download Mentee Profile
Click here to download Parent Authorization 
 

Program Expectations

The FOCUS Program exists to provide high quality, long term mentoring relationships characterized by frequent contact (7 - 11 hours per month). Mentors and mentees agree at the outset of the program that they will have contact with each other for the duration of 1 - 2 hours each week at The FOCUS Center facility and/or in supervised environments such as the mentee's home, school or community venue. Through the mentoring relationship, students receive support, encouragement, guidance, and direction.

Structured activities include goal setting and monitoring, academic tutoring, and cultural enrichment opportunities. Mentors are also encouraged to attend special activities that the mentees are participating in at school or community events.

In addition to investing 1-2 hours/week into the individualized mentoring sessions, mentors and mentees also participate in monthly developmental training workshops. Every 4th Saturday, the mentees and their mentors will meet for approximately 3 hours to participate in goal oriented projects. The first 1.5 hours of the meeting will entail a group session on a life skill topic, then the remaining 1.5 hours will involve structured one-on-one goal setting activities. The activities will be determined jointly by the mentor and mentee and are individualized in nature.

Both the mentor and mentee will work within the workshops to establish a great trusting relationship, encourage mentees to complete assigned tasks, and to achieve stated goals together. The one-on-one meetings combined with the monthly sessions will equal a minimum of 7 - 11 hours of contact time per month for the mentors and mentees to spend together. Mentors will be advised to extend their contact time for those mentees who may need additional support. Mentors and mentees will also expect to stay engaged in the program for a minimum duration of one year. 

Benefits of Mentoring

Mentors derive the following benefits from their experience:

• increased self-esteem
• a sense of accomplishment
• creation of networks of volunteers
• insight into childhood, adolescence and young adulthood
• increased patience and improved supervisory skills

Youth benefit from mentoring and is associated with:

• improved academic performance
• increased attendance rates
• better attitudes from school
• higher college enrollment rates and higher educational aspirations
• enhanced self-esteem and self-confidence
• improved behavior, both at home and at school
• stronger relationships with parents, teachers and peers