AMERICA'S POVERTY FIGHTING NETWORK
BECOME A VOLUNTEER MENTOR
- Who is a Volunteer Mentor?
- What does a Volunteer Mentor do?
- How do I become a Family Mentor?
- FS&C Mentor Training
- Support and Links
- Frequently Asked Questions
Who is a Volunteer Family Mentor
The Volunteer Family Mentor is a friend that comes along side a family to give them encouragement and support as they learn how to become successful and productive in their lives. They support parents by listening to both their family and personal struggles and by helping them find solutions to many of life's challenges. They help the family see into a future that can be achieved as they set and reach their family and personal goals.
Family mentors come in all shapes, sizes, ages, genders, and backgrounds. A desire to help others is the only qualification needed to apply as a volunteer family mentor. Personal life experience and a willingness to share your life with another family are the most important assets for making mentoring a success.
What Does a Volunteer Mentor do?
- Attend orientation
- Attend initial and on-going trainings offered by FS&C
- Meet with your family at least once each week for at least 1 hour
- Build a Trust relationship with your family
- Role model positive behavior
- Help your family set goals and encourage them as they work to achieve them
- Assist the family in problem solving
- Help your family find and access community resources
- Be available, if possible, when the family is in crisis
- Attend community activities as agreed upon with your family
- Communicate regularly with the FS&C Volunteer Coordinator to receive support for your mentoring relationship
- Submit monthly volunteer timesheet forms
Activities such as bowling, fishing, old fashioned picnics, holiday parties, and community events encourage participating families to develop a sense of community.
How do I become a Family Mentor?
To become a family mentor you will need to schedule an interview with the FS&C Outreach Specialist, Kathleen Bozgoz. You will be asked a few questions about your background and experience to help match you with the appropriate family. At that time, you will also have an opportunity to asks questions about the mentoring program. Your application can be filled out either at the interview or online at the DHS Volunteer website. There are additional program-specific forms that the FS&C Volunteer Coordinator will go over with you. After passing your Criminal History check, you are required to attend an orientation at DHS as well as FS&C's mentoring training classes.
FS&C Mentor Training Class
The FS&C initial training covers the mentoring relationship, communication skills, self-care, goal setting, community resources, and more. Monthly on-going trainings focus on parenting, child development, poverty, etc. Attending trainings encourages relationship building between the mentors and provides an opportunity to foster unity and allow mentors to support and encourage each other. Click here to view Training Opportunities.
Mentor training is fun, interactive and educational.
Training and Support Links
Mentor: Expanding the world of quality mentoring
Oregon Mentors: Your connection to youth mentoring in Oregon
The ChildTrauma Academy, a not-for-profit organization based in Houston, Texas is a unique collaborative of individuals and organizations working to improve the lives of high-risk children through direct service, research and education. Free online courses through ChildTrauma Academy.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much time will volunteering as a mentor take?
2. Do I have to go through a background check?
3. I made mistakes in the past. Will that disqualify me from becoming a family mentor?
4. I can't balance my checkbook. How am I supposed to help someone with budgeting?
5. Where will I meet with my family?
6. How long will I mentor a family?
7. What do I do if my family has a need or a problem that I don't know how to handle?
8. Can I talk about my family to my husband, wife, best friend, etc?
1. How much time will volunteering as a mentor take?
Mentoring usually takes 1-2 hours each week. You can spend more time with your family if you choose to. In addition, 1 1/2 hour monthly trainings are offered.
2. Do I have to go through a background check?
Yes. The Outreach Specialist will help you with all of your paperwork and DHS will run a criminal background check. For questions or concerns, please contact the FS&C Volunteer Coordinator.
3. I've made mistakes in the past. Will that disqualify me from becoming a family mentor?
As every situation is unique, please call our Volunteer Specialist. Your phone call will be confidential.
4. I can't balance my checkbook. How am I supposed to help someone with budgeting?
We can help you access community resources to assist with areas that you are not comfortable with. During the mentoring relationship you may learn skills that will assist you in your personal as you assist your family.
5. Where will I meet with my family?
That is entirely up to you. You can meet in the family's home, at the park, at the library, at a local restaurant or any other place that you agree upon.
6. How long will I mentor a family?
Each family has unique needs. We ask for an initial 1 year commitment. As the year is coming to a close we will begin to evaluate whether the mentoring relationship is still helpful to the family or if they are ready to transition out of the program. The mentor and the family have the final word on whether the relationship should continue and for how long. Most mentoring relationships come to a natural conclusion as the family develops their strengths and learns how to deal with challenges.
7. What do I do if my family has a need or a problem that I don't know how to handle?
You are never entirely on your own in your mentoring relationship. The FS&C Volunteer Coordinator is always only a phone call or email away. FS&C staff will assist you with any situation that you need help with.
8. Can I talk about my family to my husband, wife, best friend, etc?
No. All information about your family is confidential. If there is a situation which you need to talk through or one which you need help with you may share it with FS&C staff only.
Most of our families are low income and are receiving TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). They have children living in the home. They are either a single parent or a two parent family. Each family is unique and comes with its own strengths and concerns. The one thing they all have in common is that they need someone to talk to and to give them a helping hand through the difficult time that they are currently in.
It’s only fair that everyone has a safe, decent place to live.