Friday, March 19, 2010

Early Match Closures - Prevent Them

Hope you all have had a stellar week!
It's been busy here in Baltimore and signs of spring are everywhere!

For many of you, and probably your mentors as well, this time of year is a mixed bag - coming out of winter can be a relief, but it also means more activities and commitments, thinking ahead to the next school year, and examining priorities.

Spring is a great time to keep your mentors, mentees, and families engaged!
Many of you have made a number of matches in the past two months, so we want to make sure we keep as many mentors and mentees on board so they'll continue that relationship through the summer and into next year.

Here's an article put out by Mentor about some reasons why mentoring relationships end:
Why youth relationships end:
http://www.mentoring.org/downloads/mentoring_386.pdf
(as spring breaks come up, remind your mentors to keep in touch with their kids - even if they can't meet, have them make a phone call!)

Some ways to prevent early match closures:
-Stay positive
-Offer ongoing training/support sessions for mentors (would your site director, someone in the community, a friend, or a colleague be willing to provide an hour long training on an issue important to your mentors: communication (with mentees or families); having difficult conversations; childhood trauma; activity ideas; reflecting on service... etc.)
-Plan group activities (we just played bingo with elders at an independent living facility for St. Patrick's day - easy to set up and fun for everyone)
-Involve families
-Recognize mentors for great work
-Call or meet with mentors, mentees, and families at least monthly (more if you sense that they're having a tough time, and at least twice in the first month)
-Help mentors reflect on their service
-Record hours that mentors have volunteered and share it with them: wow look at all the time you've spent with your mentee!
-Remind them that sometimes a transformation won't happen overnight... but they are making a difference!

Everyone is invited to join our
Conference Call:
Monday March 22nd, 3:30 Eastern Time

Let me know if you have any questions.
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Welcome

Across the country, we see the effects incarceration has on families, and especially on children.

This blog was created as a discussion forum for AmeriCorps Members working on mentoring programs for children of incarcerated parents across the country.

It is so valuable to hear about the similarities and differences, successes and challenges, and inspirations and frustrations we have encountered serving children, families, and mentors.

I hope this blog will connect us by providing a space for discussion, questions and answers, and inspiration as we work with a common mission in different programs in different places.

Please share...