MENTORING is One to One's most prevelant way to volunteer and the area with the greatest need. There are consistantly more children seeking mentoring than adults to match them with.
What is involved in the process for becoming a One to One mentor?
What are the mentor’s responsibilities?
Fill out an application and return to One to One
Interview with One to One staff to find out more about you, your interests and preferences so that we can make a great match.
Personal Reference checks- You will provide names/addresses on application
Background Checks- San Miguel County Sheriff, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, and DMV, plus proof of auto insurance.
If selected for our program, One to One will contact you and discuss possibilities for a match.
Match Meeting- you will meet with the child’s parent, child, One to One staff, and possibly the child’s teacher to discuss expectations and scheduling
Start Mentoring! Set a first time to meet, One to One will provide an icebreakeractivity if needed
One to One will be an ongoing resource, providing orientation, mentoring refreshers, worshops, and check-ins.One to One checks in weekly for the first month of a match, and monthly thereafter during the first year of the match. Senior matches receive quarterly check-ins and support as needed.
First and foremost, to spend consistent, quality time with your mentee. This means meeting once a week (usually a set day agreed upon by mentor, mentee and parent), and checking in by phone if you are out of town on vacation, etc. Consistency is the key to a successful relationship.
To make sure your mentee is safe when you are together, and safely returns home or to their next activity.
As a mentor you are not expected to pay for outings, etc. Cost expectations are discussed between parent and mentor before beginning the relationship. And though you might agree to pick-up/drop off your mentee, you are not expected to be a taxi driver or a babysitter! We do our best to lay out very clear expectations for all parties involved before a match is made.
To communicate with One to One staff about how the relationship is going
A mentor helps by…
listening and asking questions to draw out the youth
encouraging and giving positive feedback
looking for resources
being an advocate
being and adult who can be trusted
challenging behavior that has negative consequences
being honest and open about who they are
resolving conflicts with the mentee as they arise
“Affirming words…are like light switches.Speak a word of affirmation at the right moment in a child’s life and it’s like lighting up a whole roomful of possibilities” – Gary Smalley
OTHER WAYS TO VOLUNTEER -- if you want to help but don't feel that being a mentor is the right fit for you. Please contact One to One for more information on how you can be of assistance.
