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Heart for Youth

Become a Mentor

Walk alongside a young person and change two lives — theirs, and yours.

Apply to Become a Mentor
In Their Own Words

From a Heart for Youth mentor

“Diego has made my life a little more exciting because of his youthful and curious spirit. Two years into the program, Diego has grown into a confident college student, a great communicator, and a friend. As a mentor I have become a better listener. I am more aware of the challenges our youth face. I learned mentees want someone who will listen, be supportive, and be a friend. No matter what your background or where you are in life, you have something to share. Be yourself, let them know they have value, and give them the freedom to be themselves.”

— Clinton, Heart for Youth Mentor
Why Become a Mentor?

Mentoring gives back

Most mentors say their mentoring experience was highly rewarding and that they gained as much from the relationship as their mentees did.

Sense of purpose

Gain a strong sense of satisfaction and purpose by being part of the success and accomplishments of your mentee.

Leadership & coaching skills

Develop leadership and coaching skills by articulating perspectives, giving feedback, and listening deeply.

Fresh perspectives

Gain fresh perspectives from discussions that prompt mentors to re-examine assumptions, update their knowledge, and think about problems in new ways.

How We Support You

You are not alone

Being a Heart for Youth mentor means strong support throughout your mentorship journey. We prioritize mentor training and engagement as a key element of our program.

Training

We provide mentors with extensive training on what it takes to be an effective mentor and how to handle a variety of situations.

Community

Throughout the year, we create opportunities for mentors to meet our staff and other mentors to exchange ideas and learnings.

Communications

We maintain a Facebook page and a WhatsApp channel to communicate with mentors and let mentors connect with each other.

Apply to Become a Mentor
Frequently Asked Questions

About membership

What does it take to become a mentor?

Mentorship doesn’t require superpowers. We believe anybody with the heart and desire to make a positive impact in young people’s lives can have a powerful influence. We also believe great mentors are “built, not born,” and provide a training program that helps mentors understand our mission and core values, and learn how to be effective.

What is the commitment?

Mentors are expected to meet in person at least every other week and to communicate with their mentees weekly.

How does the actual mentoring work?

After the initial meeting and signed agreements, the mentor and mentee continue to meet on a regular basis for a minimum of 12 months.

There are no hard-and-fast rules around what a mentor and mentee do together. Activities can range from sports and hobbies to walks, conversations, shared meals, working on projects, helping with homework, or building work readiness — anything that helps the young person and is a positive experience.

How do you match mentors and mentees?

We require both mentors and mentees to submit questionnaires and then match based on shared interests and preferences. We also conduct interviews with mentors to better understand the characteristics that lead to a strong mentorship match.

CHANGE Two Lives

Apply to Become a Mentor

Other Ways to Help

Not ready to be a mentor, but want to help?

You can help us in multiple ways:

  1. Become a donor. We need financial support to grow and reach more at-risk youth. We appreciate any and all donations — give here.
  2. Volunteer. We are always looking for individuals who can help us at our events and workshops. Let us know if you are interested
  3. Share your knowledge. If you have skills or a career in a field that would be beneficial for young adults, we would love to have you share. Get in touch