Mentor - Reach & Rise Mentorship Program

Program Overview:

The Reach & Rise mentoring program trains adult volunteers to provide therapeutic mentoring services to young people ages 6-17 for one year. We aim to help youth develop tools to cope with issues such as low self-esteem, family and peer conflicts, problems at school, and to improve their decision-making skills.

Position Goal:

Develop a supportive, consistent mentoring relationship with a youth through recreational play and paraprofessional therapeutic techniques. Help youth to explore and cope with social and/or family struggles.

Time Commitment:

• 1-3 hours per week with youth (flexible - scheduled by mentor and mentee)
• 15 hours of training
• Monthly phone check-in with Program Director
• (Optional) Mentor Support Meetings

Position Requirements:

• Must be at least 21 years old
• Meet with youth weekly for one year
• Desire to work with youth and have an interest in counseling/mentoring
• No prior felony convictions
• Must submit to fingerprint screening for security purposes
• Proof of auto insurance, copy of current driving record, and NO DUIs (if you plan to drive with mentee)

Training and Support:

Mentors attend 15 hours of training over approximately 4-5 weeks to prepare them for the mentoring relationship, including information on the program, expectations, basic therapeutic concepts, relationship-building, understanding risk factors/mental health issues, and handling safety issues. If accepted into the program, mentors are then matched with a child. Optional monthly group mentor support meetings, facilitated by the Program Director, are available.

For more information, visit our website:

https://www.ymcasf.org/program/reach-rise-mentoring/