FOR PARENTS

Getting a Child Into A Mentoring Program

If you want to help a child in your life have a mentor - you're doing a wonderful thing simply by caring about the potential of that child.

Rochester Mentors works to place mentors (adults) with programs that have children waiting and can make a match/friendship succeed.

Rochester Mentors does not maintain a list of kids awaiting mentors. But we help you take the right steps.

Steps

1. Understand that mentoring programs have more kids than mentors. So even as you work
   to place a child with a program, you should continue to look for other immediate
   activities and programs. Consider attending our Know How University program
   
   
2. Contact the mentoring program you're aware of (comfortable with) and ask if they are a
   member of Rochester Mentors. The programs we represent take important steps to make
   mentoring safe and effective. We will also help any program reach those standards with
   training and support.
   
   
3. If you're not aware of any programs, see the list of Rochester Mentors Partner Programs
   on this site. HERE IS OUR LIST OF PARTNER PROGRAMS (opens a new window)
   
   
4. Once the child is listed with a program, you can do things to make it more likely the child
   will be matched. Programs match their volunteers with kids that they feel they know
   and understand. They look for kids in homes that will support the mentor relationship
   (respect, prioritize, etc). So you want to be available, patient, and informative toward the
   program. To do that, call the program every month or so and tell them something new
   about the child - things that will help them better understand how to best match this child.
   This will do three great things at one time:
   
   
   • Help the program understand the child and make a better match
   • Show them that you're an involved advocate for the child and supporter of the
     mentor
   • Let you consciously consider all of the great things about this child!
     
     
5. Become a leader! We can help you turn your concern for one child into better chance for
   many (and for you). Contact JeffNewland@RochesterMentors.org to learn more.

     * In June 2011, our Program Partners reported a 22% increase in the number of Rochester City School District students they reach
with a mentor versus June 2010. These numbers are reported to the RCSD through Rochester Mentors.

Rochester Mentors is a partner in the Boomer Mentors initiative - a program of Lifespan of Greater Rochester
in partnership with Rochester Area Community Foundation.
Rochester Mentors is not yet a 501(c)3 entity.