Mentoring, consoling, restoring, bringing hope, being a friend. There are countless ways to bring hope and joy to another and building meaningful friendships by being there for someone who needs a caring ear, help and guidance.
When you were younger, did you have a role model who inspired you or was a positive voice in your life?
It takes one person to make a difference in a child’s life. You can be that person.
With all that our world is facing today, it’s more important than ever for kids to have a someone who cares in their life who will encourage and empower them through real life decisions. Right now in Palm Beach County, more than 1,000 kids are waiting to be matched with a mentor.
Watch to see how you can turn up your impact in our community through mentoring.
Why Mentorship?
Research shows that students who participate in mentor relationships miss fewer school days, are less likely to participate in negative behaviors and more likely to graduate on time.
Spending just one hour a week with a mentor can help a child become:
- 55% more likely to be enrolled in college.
- 81% more likely to participate regularly in sports or extracurricular activities.
- 78% more likely to volunteer regularly in their communities.
- More than twice as likely to say they held a leadership position in a club or sports team.
- 52% less likely to skip a day of school.
- 46% less likely than their peers to start using illegal drugs.
- 27% less likely to start drinking.
What Does It Take to Be a Good Mentor?
All you need to do is show up, be present, and be yourself.
Often we get asked “What does it take to be a Mentor? I just don’t know if I am qualified.” Our response is usually the same. Why would you not be qualified? Your unique life experiences will help a young person navigate their path and overcome obstacles.
Being a Mentor is being a listener, a guide, a support, a cheerleader, providing insight, and fostering success in others.
Here are a few qualities that all mentors share:
- Have a sincere desire to connect with a young person
- The ability to see solutions and opportunities
- Have respect for young people
- Have active listening skills
- Have empathy
- Have flexibility
It’s normal to go into mentoring being unsure of what impact it will make, not realizing that you have the opportunity to create a positive shift in the life of a young person, impacting generations of people to come.
We can guarantee that you will change two lives through mentorship – both you and your Mentee will experience incredible fulfillment.
Take the Next Step to Become a Mentor Today!
About The United Way Mentor Center
Under the Mentor Center, United Way now funds and has oversight of 23 local mentor programs.
The Mentor Center also serves as the anchor of the Palm Beach County Mentor Network, a professional affiliation of 50 formal mentor programs working together to elevate mentoring in the community. These local mentor programs oversee more than 10,000 mentor matches.
View a list of the Mentor Center Network programs and contact information HERE.
THE IN-CROWD is proud to partner with the United Way of Palm Beach County.