What is a mentor?

 A mentor is a friend, a guide, and a role model. He (or she) is a volunteer who wants to make a positive difference in someone's life. A mentor chooses to work with one youth in a trust relationship to be of help and encouragement.

A mentor is also someone:

• to feel comfortable with
• to learn from
• to do things with
• to go to for advice & understanding
• to have fun with
• you can depend on
• who respects your boundaries

A mentor is selected from applicants who have passed background checks and screening, provided references, and gone through interviewing and training with the director of the Safety Net Mentor Program. Mentors are over 21 years of age, are willing to commit to at least one year with the program, and participate in ongoing training.

When a "mentee" is matched with a mentor, a number of points are considered:

• interests, abilities, likes & dislikes, needs, etc.
• the mentee's daily/weekly schedule
• the mentor's schedule
• the approval of the mentee's advocate or guardian

A mentee is expected to:

• give the relationship an honest effort
• get to know the mentor & let the mentor get to know you
• learn/try new things
• see life from a different perspective
• be cooperative and truthful