| As a provider, you want to operate the most effective mentoring program possible. You may know precisely what you need to improve your existing mentoring program but are unsure where to find it. Or, you may need help in identifying underlying problems in your mentoring program that need to be diagnosed first before you can correct them. Perhaps you are not even sure where to start. The Mentoring Partnerhip of Minnesota has curriculum and consultation services to assist with your development.
Training Curriculum
Introduction to Mentoring – Explain what mentoring is to potential mentors.
This one hour introductory course offers information about mentoring and helps potential mentors identify what types of programs would best match their interests and availability.
Basic Mentor Training – Prepare your volunteer mentors for the mentoring relationship.
This two to three hour training teaches volunteer mentors the skills they need to begin and sustain successful mentoring relationships. Through role-playing, interactive exercises and lecture, mentors will address their concerns and expectations, explore boundary issues, discuss communication styles, and learn about the stages of the mentoring relationship. This training is particularly helpful for beginning mentors or mentors experiencing relational issues.
Basic Mentee Training – Prepare your youth for the mentoring relationship.
This two to three hour training teaches youth the skills they need to begin and sustain successful mentoring relationships. Through role-playing, interactive exercises and lecture, youth will address their concerns and expectations, explore boundary issues, discuss communication styles, and learn about the stages of the mentoring relationship. This training is particularly helpful for new mentees or youth experiencing relational issues.
Building a Responsible Mentoring Program – Learn the Elements of Effective Practice.
This two to three hour training provides general instruction on how to set up a mentor program based on nationally recognized best practices. This session will provide an array of mentoring program models, templates of program policies and procedures, and sample job descriptions to assist in program development. This is a useful training for organizations establishing new mentoring initiatives, acquiring new staff, adding a mentoring component to existing youth programs or enhancing mentor programs.
What’s the Connection? A guidebook for successful mentoring.
This 5-piece set assists volunteers with using the mentor relationship as a means of reducing risky behaviors in youth. Tobacco, illicit drugs, violence, alcohol, and sexual activity are the risks addressed in this curriculum. The set includes workbooks for mentors, trainers and students at the elementary, middle and high school level.
What’s Working? Tools to evaluate mentor programs.
This two to three hour training provides information on program and participant evaluation practices in order to help program providers gain a better understanding of the benefits participants derive from mentor programs. It includes the “What’s Working?” manual, a comprehensive tool kit packed with survey forms, focus group outlines, and interview questions designed to gather information about program outcomes from mentors, mentees and others (such as teachers and parents).
Train the Trainer – Learn how to be an expert trainer.
Workshops and manuals are available to individuals and organizations interested in facilitating training sessions for any of the above workshops or curriculum areas.
Customized Training Sessions for Mentors
Building effective relationships with mentees
Mentors learn important steps in building lasting relationships with their mentees through discussing communication strategies, relationship boundaries and mutual expectations.
Cultural competence
Understanding the importance of diversity and appreciating differences can enhance mentoring relationships. In this session, mentors discuss how to become culturally competent in this ever-changing society.
Reflection sessions
Mentors have an opportunity to reflect on and evaluate their current mentoring experiences. Mentors will also explore innovative strategies to resolve conflict through role-playing, discussion and other activities.
Note: All customized trainings can be tailored to offer to mentees as well as mentors, either in conjunction with mentor training sessions or as stand-alone offerings.
Please call (612) 370-9148 or email traininginst@mentoringworks.org to schedule a free consultation.
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