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Be A Better Mentor

No matter how much you enjoy being a mentor, there are probably times when you think, "So now what do I do?"

Not only will you find activities to do with your mentee, but you will also find exercises you can do to improve your mentoring skills. They do not take long, but they will go a long way in making you an even better mentor.

Getting Started in a Mentoring Relationship

Mentor Guidelines and Code of Conduct, How to Build a Successful Mentoring Program Using the Elements of Effective Practice, MENTOR (2005)

Guidelines for Mentors, How to Build a Successful Mentoring Program Using the Elements of Effective Practice, MENTOR (2005)

Stages of a Mentoring Relationship, How to Build a Successful Mentoring Program Using the Elements of Effective Practice, MENTOR (2005)

Mentoring Adolescents Training Needs Tools for Mentoring Adolescents, Issue 1, Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota and the Search Institute (PDF)

How to Be a Great Mentor guide developed by Newsweek, Kaplan and MENTOR provides a comprehensive overview for new or existing mentors on multiple issues, ranging from the lifecycle of mentoring, profiles of successful people and the influence of mentoring on their lives and resources on how to get involved in mentoring.

Community Mentoring for Adolescent Development manual developed by Baylor University to train college students to mentor young adolescents. Includes mentor training topics on goal-setting, decision-making and stages of the mentoring relationship. Also provides content on adolescent development, middle school transitions, self-awareness, alternatives to violence, and health concerns like smoking, drug use, HIV infection, teen pregnancy and eating disorders. Each chapter includes a suggested lesson plan outline, overhead visuals, and training activities. You will also find extensive bibliographies and template documents. (10.6 MB) (updated by MENTOR)

Training Guide for Volunteer Mentors, Students in Business, Inc.

Training Mentors and Building Relationships, Dusseldorp Skills Forum (2004)

Training New Mentors (2008) A comprehensive guide to providing mentors with initial training, complete with over a dozen ready-to-use training activities.

Resources for Building the Relationship

Tips for Building a Mentoring Relationship, How to Build a Successful Mentoring Program Using the Elements of Effective Practice, MENTOR (2005)

Building Relationships, How to Build a Successful Mentoring Program Using the Elements of Effective Practice, MENTOR (2005)

Building Trust Attachment with Your Mentee Tools for Mentoring Adolescents, Issue 4, Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota and the Search Institute (PDF)

Setting Mentoring Boundaries Tools for Mentoring Adolescents, Issue 6, Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota and the Search Institute (PDF)

Fostering Close and Effective Relationships in Youth Mentoring Programs, Issue 4, Research In Action Series, MENTOR

The Cyberbullying Toolkit for Tutors and Mentors Developed by America Learns and Net-Generation expert Vanessa Van Petten.ffers steps volunteers can take to help mentees address online harassment, and provides guidance to school administrators, parents and guardians.

Working with Various Aged Youth

Characteristics of Children and Youth, Ages 8-16, How to Build a Successful Mentoring Program Using the Elements of Effective Practice, MENTOR (2005)

Developmental Characteristics of 12-14 Year Olds Tools for Mentoring Adolescents, Issue 8, Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota and the Search Institute (PDF)

Developmental Characteristics of 15-18 Year Olds Tools for Mentoring Adolescents, Issue 9, Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota and the Search Institute (PDF)

Characteristics of High-Risk Students, How to Build a Successful Mentoring Program Using the Elements of Effective Practice, MENTOR (2005) (Word, 24k)

Making the Most of Mentoring an Adolescent Tools for Mentoring Adolescents, Issue 2, Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota and the Search Institute (PDF)

Aren't Mentors for Little Kids Tools for Mentoring Adolescents, Issue 3, Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota and the Search Institute (PDF)

Resources for Working with Youth from Various Backgrounds

Influence of Culture on Mentoring Relationships Tools for Mentoring Adolescents, Issue 7, Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota and the Search Institute (PDF)

Exploring and Valuing Diversity, How to Build a Successful Mentoring Program Using the Elements of Effective Practice, MENTOR (2005)

Children of Prisoners Resources

Foster Care Youth Resources

Click Here for Foster Care Youth Resources

Gay/Lesbian/Bi-Sexual/Questioning Youth Resources

Click Here for Gay/Lesbian/Bi-Sexual/Questioning Youth Resources

Gang Members

Mentoring Gang Members, the EMT Group

Immigrant and Refugee Youth

Mentoring Immigrant and Refugee Youth section of the Elements of Effective Practice Toolkit

Pregnant and Parenting Resources

Click Here for Pregnant and Parenting Resources

Youth with Disabilities Resources

Click Here for Youth with Disabilities Resources

Exploring Difficult Issues

Responsible Mentoring: Difficult Issues, How to Build a Successful Mentoring Program Using the Elements of Effective Practice, MENTOR (2005)

Responsible Mentoring: Talking about Drugs, Sex and Other Difficult Issues, EMT Group (2000)

Building Communication Skills

Examples of Roadblocks to Effective Communication, How to Build a Successful Mentoring Program Using the Elements of Effective Practice, MENTOR (2005)

Helpful Communication Skills, How to Build a Successful Mentoring Program Using the Elements of Effective Practice, MENTOR (2005)

Let's Get Real-Positive Communication Tools for Mentoring Adolescents, Issue 5, Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota and the Search Institute (PDF)

Activity Ideas

Planning and Design, How to Build a Successful Mentoring Program Using the Elements of Effective Practice, MENTOR (2005)

Mentoring Activity Links, How to Build a Successful Mentoring Program Using the Elements of Effective Practice, MENTOR (2005)

What Will We Do Each Week?, How to Build a Successful Mentoring Program Using the Elements of Effective Practice, MENTOR (2005)

Topics for Discussions Between Mentors and High School-Age Youth, How to Build a Successful Mentoring Program Using the Elements of Effective Practice, MENTOR (2005)

Activity: What's Hot and What's Not, Tools for Mentoring Adolescents, Issue 10, Mentoring Partnership of Minnesota and the Search Institute (PDF)

Holiday Ideas: Celebrating the Season

Science Buzz, Interactive Web site on science, Science Museum of Minnesota

75 Cool Activities for Mentors and Mentees

My College Options: Developed by professionals with almost 40 years of experience in linking high school students with colleges and universities, My College Options^® connects students to 2,000 colleges and universities nationwide and has almost 5 .5 million students enrolled. Features a unique system of matching students with the colleges and universities that are right for them and will help students reach their post-secondary goals.

Working with Mentees on Goals and Objectives

Writing Goals and Objectives and Worksheet, How to Build a Successful Mentoring Program Using the Elements of Effective Practice, MENTOR (2005)

Tutoring Resources

Practical Skills for Tutoring, How to Build a Successful Mentoring Program Using the Elements of Effective Practice, MENTOR (2005)

Resources for Military Children and Families

*Supporting Military Kids during Deployment, Tough Topic 1 (PDF)

*Helping Kids Deal with Stress Tough Topic 2 (PDF)

*The Impact of Grief and Loss Tough Topic 3 (PDF)

*Provided by the National Guard Child and Youth Program for parents and others concerned about children in military families.

Ending a Mentoring Relationship

Why Youth Mentoring Relationships End, Issue 5, Research In Action Series, MENTOR

Terminating Relationships, How to Build a Successful Mentoring Program Using the Elements of Effective Practice, MENTOR (2005)

Closure, How to Build a Successful Mentoring Program Using the Elements of Effective Practice, MENTOR (2005)

Become a Mentor

Online Community

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