Volunteer Training Sessions
Virginia Mentoring Partnership offers training for volunteers interested in mentoring and tutoring children and youth, and technical assistance for organizations that want to start or enhance their mentoring programs. The goals of the training sessions are to make individuals more aware of the needs of today’s youth and to provide the skills necessary to empower caring individuals to make a difference in a young person’s life.
Four different training sessions are offered to provide information and suggested activities to enhance a volunteer’s natural abilities. In each session, participants receive up to three hours of training and a certificate of completion. Trainers include a range of educators with varied backgrounds in order to meet the needs of individual programs requesting training. Descriptions of each session follow.
An Orientation to Mentoring
Volunteers learn what to expect in the mentor-mentee relationship and volunteering in classrooms. Mentoring is defined and boundaries of the relationship suggested. Do’s and Don’ts are provided in role playing scenarios and discussions. The phases of a mentoring relationship and the importance of commitment to the mentee or children are presented in this very interactive session. This session is appropriate for new and experienced mentors or volunteers.
School Volunteer Training
This abbreviated training session is intended for individuals working in a school setting (not necessarily in a one-to-one mentoring relationship). Volunteers will learn about positive role modeling, expectations, and boundaries to set when working in a child centered environment. Various scenarios will be presented and volunteers will learn how best to work in a school setting.
Tutor Training: Elements of Effective Tutoring
Volunteers who are tutors to children participate in this creative session to gain tips and ideas that make tutoring more enjoyable and productive. Strategies are presented for assisting students with reading and math. Grab bags of fun materials are used to demonstrate tutoring techniques for elementary aged children. Do’s and Don’ts are provided in role playing scenarios and discussions.
Mentor Follow-Up and Support
If you are a mentor and are now ready to examine your experience, this session can provide strategies to further develop a more effective mentoring relationship. In this experience-sharing session, participants will discuss what to do when a relationship is problematic, present activities that are educational or recreational and at no/low cost, and provide an exchange of ideas and suggestions from other mentors.
Training sessions are available daytime or evening and any day of the week (with at least two weeks notice). For more information or to schedule training, please contact:
| Allyson F. Roberts, Program Coordinator robertsaf@vcu.edu | Phone (804) 828-1536 FAX (804) 828-1418 |
