Mentoring Settings

Each mentoring program is different. So are the locations and settings within which a mentoring relationship can develop.

Mentors and young people may find that their relationship begins by participating in a variety of activities. Depending on the type of mentoring program — and the program's rules and regulations — a mentoring pair may go to the park or a museum, participate in sports or some other activity where they can get to know each other better. Mentors and mentees might also meet at the child's school once a week where they might talk, play games or work on schoolwork together. Take a look at some of the different settings where mentoring occurs.

In the community

Community-based mentoring offers young people the chance to develop a relationship with one or more adults.
Takes place outside of specific sites: going to the movies, going to a park, etc.
Can include tutoring, career exploration, life skills development, game playing and going to sports, entertainment or cultural events.
Typically asks the mentor for a commitment of at least one year.

In schools

Mentoring in schools can have a significant impact on the dropout rate among high school students.
Offers young people the chance to develop a relationship with one or more adults.
Takes place at school, either during or immediately after school hours.
Can include tutoring, game playing and sports.
Typically asks the mentor for a commitment of at least one school year.

In the faith-based community

Faith-based mentoring has a long tradition of instilling spiritual values and moral strength, key elements in mentoring. Mentoring puts faith into practice, and everyone benefits.
Offers young people the chance to develop a relationship with one or more adults.
Takes place in a house of worship and reflects the values and beliefs of that religion. Typically occurs after school hours and/or on weekends.
Can include career exploration, life skills development, game playing and going to sports, entertainment or cultural events.
Can serve young people from the congregation or from throughout the local community.

In businesses

Today more and more companies are starting mentoring programs to help the young people who live in the communities where the companies do business.
Offers young people the chance to develop a relationship with one or more adults.
Takes place at the workplace.
Can include tutoring, job shadowing, career exploration and role playing.
Typically asks the mentor for a commitment of at least through the school year.

E-mentoring

E-mentoring takes place via the Internet and lets mentors and mentees develop their relationship by exchanging messages online.
Makes mentoring available to mentors and young people who otherwise might not be able to meet easily because of time or travel constraints.
Helps young people learn more about high-tech communications and improve their writing skills.
Offers young people the chance to develop a relationship with one or more adults. (Some programs have a group of adults who mentor an entire group of young people. For instance, a group of engineers might advise an entire classroom of students.)
Offers young people a great way to find out about potential careers.
Enables young people to work with mentors on special projects.