Become a Mentor

Volunteer Mentor Position

Program Mission/Purpose: The purpose of the MHMSF Mentoring Program is to encourage and motivate post-secondary students who live in the Marcy Houses and other NYCHA developments in Bed-Stuy and strategize with them to complete a course of study or training leading to improved economic and social well-being.

Volunteer Category: Mentor

Commitment Time: Up to 3 hours per month for 12 months

Areas of Involvement: Commitment to developing a supportive relationship with a young adult who is enrolled in college or in a vocational training program.

Qualifications:

• Sincere desire to support a student to help them achieve personal and career goals

• Ability to communicate with young adults openly and without judgement

• Strong listening skills

• Ability to establish a relationship based on trust, respect and shared responsibility

• Practical problem-solving skills and ability to suggest options and alternatives

• Sensitivity to persons of different educational, economic, cultural or racial backgrounds.

Responsibilities:

• Make a minimum one-year commitment to developing and maintaining a mentor relationship with a young adult

• Attend mentor orientation/training session before meeting mentee

• Attend one mentor training over the course of the year

• Check-in with program coordinator monthly

• Meet in-person or virtually with mentee monthly and be available to respond to student inquiries via email weekly to establish working relationship and to support mentee in achieving post-secondary goals

• Assist mentee in solving school-related and other problems that interfere with mentee’s success

• Keep student reports and time logs and other information as requested by the program coordinator