The Mentoring Program seeks to enroll and capture the consciousness of young women by exposing them to extraordinary people who have entered into unique professions, accomplished remarkable tasks and who exemplify the best in humanity.  In this program, each young woman is matched with a mentor.  Our belief is that a young woman’s mind is like an unexposed roll of film, thus, after some exposure, the mentor's main purpose is to help a young person define the picture they have of themselves, their world and their goals, then develop ways to understand and achieve them. Since the expectations of each young woman will vary, the mentor’s job is to also encourage the development of a flexible relationship that responds to both the mentor's and mentee’s needs and frame that picture within a workable, goal- achieving plan. By sharing fun activities and exposing a mentee to new experiences, a mentor encourages positive choices, promotes high self-esteem, supports academic achievement, and introduces her to new bright new color imbued ideas.

.You bring a wide range of life experiences to your mentoring relationship. As a result, you can be a wonderful source of advice and information. Regardless of your background, the greatest gift you have to offer a young person is your genuine interest in their life and your willingness to listen attentively to them.  As a mentor you offer a young person the consistent opportunity to talk with you and share their wants, needs and expectations. And you, in turn, can help them find ways to fulfill those wants and needs.

Studies have shown that mentoring is a highly effective strategy for preventing several key problems that young people face. Mentoring provides information, opportunities, nurturance, and support. By successfully navigating a relationship with a mentor, a young person develops a shared sense of caring, respect, trust, and, consequently, the belief that "I can." This positive attitude, or self-efficacy, makes a fundamental difference when it is applied to specific goals (such as school or career) or to the young person's emotional development. Most adults can identify a person who, at some time in their life, had a significant and positive impact on them. Mentors can be friends, relatives, co-workers, teachers, as well as historic or contemporary personalities. Most often, a mentor is a more experienced person who acts as a role model, compatriot, challenger, guide or cheerleader.

Research and anecdotal evidence show that one-to-one mentoring helps emancipated foster youth overcome the many challenges they face. They are less likely to begin using illegal drugs, consume alcohol, skip school and classes, or engage in acts of violence.1 They have greater self-esteem, confidence and are able to have a greater sense of purpose and direction.

How to be a mentor