Becoming a Better Mentor

MENTOR’s work is rooted in trying to close the mentoring gap for young people. A critical aspect of ensuring that young people have the support they need is to ensure that the adults and mentors providing this support are capable and effective in doing so.

Becoming a Better Mentor: Strategies to Be There for Young People is a resource designed to help teach everyday individuals the basics of being a good mentor to a young person. Written by field experts, and full of real-world advice and evidence-based strategies, this handbook provides mentors with tangible strategies to “be there” for youth.

Users of this resource can expect to:

Develop effective mentoring skills
Learn more about the mindsets and attitudes that lay the foundation for a strong and successful mentoring relationship
Get access to basic information about youth development and typical mentoring relationship cycles
Explore critical skills and competencies to meet the needs of youth through mentoring
Dive into emotional support strategies, suggested topics of discussion, tips on structuring mentoring sessions and so much more!

Each of the topics can be downloaded as a written resource,
a video, and an audio file below.

Download Becoming a Better Mentor

Descargar en Español

Listen to the audiobook here

View the introductory webinar here

Introduction
Author: Mike Garringer, MENTOR
Learn about how to adopt a “mentoring mindset,” motivations for mentoring, how to take a youth-centered and strengths-based approach, basics of childhood and adolescent development, the importance of mentor commitment, and more!

Read

Providing Emotional
Support and Empathy

Author: Renee Spencer, Boston University

Working to understand your mentee’s experiences from their point of view can improve their reception of your support and greaten your impact.

Read

Practicing
Cultural Humility
Author: Bernadette Sanchez, University of Illinois – Chicago
As a mentor, it is essential to engage in continuous self-reflection and to actively seek opportunities to learn about your mentee’s identity and cultural experiences.

Read

Making Room for
Fun and Play
Author: Michael Karcher, University of Texas-San Antonio
By centering joyful experiences in mentoring relationships, mentors can form stronger, more meaningful connections with their mentees.

Read

Attunement in Mentoring
Relationships
Authors: Julia Pryce, Loyola University Chicago; Kelsey Deane, University of Auckland; and Linda Gilkerson, Erikson Institute
Developing a strong self-awareness about your own emotional and physical state can make you better equipped to read the cues of your mentee and respond to their preferences and needs.

Read

Understanding Effective
Online Communication
Author: Michelle R. Kaufman, Johns Hopkins University

Because many young people today are digital natives, engaging with your mentee in a virtual setting may make them feel more comfortable and willing to communicate.

Read

Facilitating Group
Interactions
Author: Gabriel Kuperminc, Georgia State University
When mentoring groups of young people, building a strong sense of belonging can help create a community where members want to participate and are excited to engage.

Read

Working with Others in the
Mentoring Relationship System
Author: Thomas E. Keller, Portland State University
Making an effort to get to know the other adults in your mentee’s life can improve your understanding of and ability to communicate with your mentee.

Read

Honoring Youth Voice
and Building Power
Authors: Elizabeth Santiago, Sr. Advisor,
MENTOR and Minnie Chen, MENTOR
Adults interested in elevating youth voice must learn how to listen critically and be willing to take a step back and share power with young leaders.

Read

Building Critical Consciousness
and Youth Activism
Author: Torie Weiston-Serdan, The Center
for Critical Mentoring and Youth Work
Youth power building is not about rendering adults useless – it’s about centering young people and positioning adults as supporters and resources rather than leaders.

Read

Goal Setting and Support
Author: Ed Bowers, Clemson University
Intentionally supporting your mentee through the process of setting and pursuing goals is one important way you can guide them towards discovering new passions and a strong sense of purpose.

Read

Effective Conversations
about Behavior Change
Author: Samuel D.McQuillan, University of South Carolina
Some of the most effective ways to encourage positive behavioral changes in a mentee are to ask questions, engage in active listening, and express empathy and understanding.

Read

Expanding Networks
of Support
Author: Sarah Schwartz, Suffolk University
By helping their mentees strengthen existing relationships and form new connections, mentors can encourage the exploration of diverse pathways and improve their mentee’s access to new opportunities.

Read

Testimonials

A commitment to empowering youth is a core value of Friends of the Children. When it comes to helping children see themselves as the heroes of their own stories, this resource will be an invaluable tool for mentors, organizations, and many others. Terri Sorensen Chief Executive Officer, Friends of the Children

Meet the Authors

Ed Bowers
Clemson University

Minnie Chen
MENTOR

Kelsey Deane
University of Auckland

Mike Garringer
MENTOR

Linda Gilkerson
Erikson Institute

Carla Herrera
Independent Mentoring Consultant

Michelle Kaufman
Johns Hopkins University

Michael Karcher
University of Texas – San Antonio

Tom Keller
Portland State University

Gabriel Kuperminc
Georgia State University

Sam McQuillin
University of South Carolina

Julia Pryce
Loyola University Chicago

Bernadette Sánchez
University of Illinois – Chicago

Elizabeth Santiago
MENTOR (Sr. Advisor)

Sarah Schwartz
Suffolk University

Renée Spencer
Boston University

Dudney Sylla
MENTOR

Torie Weiston-Serdan
The Center for Critical Mentoring and Youth Works

Interested in helping us get the word out about this new resource? Click to tweet about Becoming a Better Mentor and share with your social media networks using hashtags #BetterMentor and #MentoringAmplifies. Check out our toolkit for more suggested messaging and graphics.

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Video resources were made possible with the support of the Taco Bell Foundation.