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Mentoring is an ongoing relationship between people designed to build caring, commitment and trust so that the mentor can help the mentee.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION: This position is designed to provide one-on-one support and friendship between the volunteer and the young mother.

The Special Friend provides a non-judgmental and caring relationship to a pregnant or parenting teen mom. Through this relationship, positive parenting, self-reliance and problem solving are "role modeled". Activities can include home visits, recreational outings, shopping, transportation and phone calls. The Special Friend will keep a time log of client contacts and will talk regularly with the Volunteer Coordinator to discuss the progress of the program participant.

The time commitment is approximately ten hours per month for at least six months. Special Friends will complete four hours of training before being matched with a program participant. The training will include information about child abuse, setting boundaries and what issues young moms are facing.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

LISTENER/ADVISER -The mentor provides emotional support to the mentee by showing support, respect and encouragement. They discuss problem solving options together without heavy-handed judgments.

ROLE MODEL -The mentor displays positive behavior and choice making styles to the mentee.

COMPANION -The mentor and mentee participate in jointly selected activities with an interactive component (watching a movie and then discussing what it was all about instead of just watching a movie).

TEACHER/CHALLENGER -The mentor challenges the mentee by encouraging her and assisting her in setting realistic goals, planning a strategy to reach those goals and then in evaluating her actions. In this capacity the mentor helps the mentee learn new skills and behaviors.

ADVOCATE -The mentor monitors what is going on in the mentee's daily life and is willing to step in to intervene on her behalf when it is appropriate.

CONFIDENCE BUILDER -The mentor finds subtle and consistent ways to repeatedly praise the mentee's attributes and successes in order to improve the mentee's self esteem.

RESOURCE PERSON -The mentor provides information and helps brainstorm alternatives with the mentee to assist the mentee in reaching personal goals. Mentors may also be called upon to help access resources which come from unfamiliar places.

WHAT DOES THE MENTOR GAIN?

Mentors gain an awareness of different problems and perspectives and usually find satisfaction and an improvement in their own self esteem through the effort of making a positive difference in someone else's life.

Mentors will:

Develop new relationships and friendships.

Learn about diversity.

Become part of a larger, more inclusive community.

Increase their understanding of, and respect for, people from different backgrounds.

Recognize that they can make a difference.

Give something back to the community through the sharing of their own particular skills, strengths and abilities.

Learn something about themselves.

APPLYING FOR THIS POSTION:

To apply for this position, or to learn more about the program, contact Michelle Smith, Volunteer Coordinator.

US Mail:
Oregon Human Development Corporation
233 SE Washington
Hillsboro, Oregon 97123


Phone: (503) 640-6349 ext. 233
Fax: (503) 844-6885