Volunteer Mentor, FOY RISE Mentorship Program

Apply Here: https://www.fosteringouryouth.com/mentor-application-form

Reports To: Mentorship Director, Fostering Our Youth

Commitment: 8-week mentorship cycle, weekly 30–45 minute virtual sessions + monthly group Community Night

Location: Virtual (with optional local/hybrid in-person activities, depending on mentor/mentee location)

Start Date: Feb 2, 2025 (Must be available for orientation week prior to start date)

Purpose:

To support and empower youth (ages 13–17) through the FOY RISE framework (Resilience • Inspire • Strength • Empowerment), by providing consistent one-on-one mentoring, guiding goal-setting, and fostering growth in communication skills, self-motivation, and leadership readiness.

Key Responsibilities:

• • Attend orientation and training before matching with a mentee.
  • Meet weekly (30–45 minutes) with assigned mentee via virtual platform (Zoom/Google Meet) according to schedule.
  • Participate in one monthly Community Night with all mentors/mentees.
  • Build a safe, trusting mentoring relationship; be a stable presence and positive role model.
  • Use the RISE framework to guide sessions: help mentees build resilience, explore inspiration, strengthen communication, and move toward empowerment.
  • Assist mentees with setting a personal growth goal, breaking it into weekly steps, tracking progress, and reflecting at the end of the cycle.
  • Maintain session logs / mentor reflection form after each meeting (via FOY provided form).
  • Communicate any concerns (attendance, wellbeing, safety, engagement) promptly to FOY staff.
  • Attend scheduled mentor support check-ins / touch-base meetings with FOY staff.
  • Uphold all FOY policies: confidentiality, boundaries, mandated reporting, virtual communication guidelines (no private social media messaging, etc.).

Qualifications:

• • Age 18 or older.
  • Reliable, consistent availability for 8-week cycle and willingness to commit to weekly sessions.
  • Strong communication and listening skills.
  • Empathy, patience, cultural responsiveness, and ability to build rapport with teens from diverse backgrounds.
  • Comfort with virtual meeting platforms (Zoom/Google Meet) or willingness to learn.
  • Ability to follow program structure and guidelines, work collaboratively with FOY staff.
  • Clean background (criminal background check required), safe online environment for virtual sessions.

Preferred (but not required):

• • Experience working with youth, mentoring, coaching, teaching, or related fields.
  • Interest in youth leadership development, social-emotional learning, or community outreach.
  • Familiarity with goal-setting, motivational frameworks, or youth development programs.

Benefits / What Volunteers Gain:

• • Make a significant positive impact in the life of a teen.
  • Strengthen your own leadership, communication, coaching, and mentoring skills.
  • Be part of a structured, professionally managed mentorship program.
  • Receive training, support, and supervision from FOY staff.
  • Flexible virtual commitment (no travel required).
  • Certificate and Letter of recognition upon completion of the 8-week cycle.

Time Commitment Summary:

• • Weekly 30–45 minutes with your mentee
  • Monthly 1-hour Community Night (group event)
  • Time for post-session reflection form (~10 minutes)
  • Mentor support meeting or quick check-in (~30 minutes during cycle)
  • Total estimated commitment: ~2–3 hours per week during the 8-week cycle