January is Mentoring Month!
Governor Jay Inslee recognizes Mentoring Month in Washington and encourages all people in the state of Washington to recognize the importance of strengthening our communities through mentoring. Download the Governor's Mentor Proclamation Here.
What is a Mentor?
By Dr. Jean Rhodes
(Jean Rhodes is a Frank L. Boyden Professor of Psychology and the Director of the Center for Evidence-Based Mentoring at the University of Massachusetts Boston)
Books and articles about mentoring often begin with a brief nod to Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, to explain the etymology of the term. In it, the legendary Greek king, Odysseus, asks his friend, Mentor, to watch over his household and son, Telemachus, before leaving to fight in the Trojan War. The field of mentoring is a living tribute to this old friend, the personification of the protective, guiding, and supportive figures that we all deserve. This ancient myth neatly encapsulates our visions of the ideal intergenerational relationship and has helped to unify the thousands of programs as well as the eponymous organization, MENTOR, around common goals. A closer read of the poem, however, suggests that this field might have just as logically been named shepherd, seagull, ship captain’s daughter, or swallow, all of which were forms that the Greek goddess Athena inhabited to dispense her wisdom. Granted, Athena’s first appearance was that of “a Taphian chieftain named Mentes,” but Mentor was still by no means a major figure in this epic poem and provided very little in the way of support, protection, advice, or counsel to young Telemachus. In fact, Mentor allowed Odysseus’ household to sink into ruin and be overrun with unwanted suitors who bullied Telemachus and harassed his mother, Penelope. This is a far cry from the image of a wise and nurturing advisor. Continue reading this article.
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Community for Youth (CfY) to Pilot Career Connected Learning Mentorship Curriculum
In support of our Career Connected Learning program, CfY is seeking:
- 8 volunteers who are interested in serving on a Career Panel in January.
- Individuals who are interested in advising The Alchemy Project.
- Individuals who are interested in serving as mentors for the new year.
If you are interested in serving on our Career Panel, please fill out and submit our CfY Career Panel Sign-Up Form.
Please read Original post by Community for Youth December 18, 2021
Mentorship has always been critical to the development of the next generation, but in a time of rapidly changing educational and social landscapes, the need is even greater. In the spirit of the new year, we are full of hope as we think about what lies ahead for our students, our mentors, our community, and our organization!
Statement from Stephen Song, Executive Director, CyF
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Youth Initiated Mentoring
by Veronica Guajardo, PhD, Vice President of Programs at College Success Foundation
However formal or informal, mentoring is a vital part of social-emotional development. Most of us are fortunate to know when to reach out and to whom, whether it be a trusted friend, colleague, teacher or family member. But even the simple act of reaching out when you need support is a learned skill. How do we teach young people about the importance of having a mentor to rely on—one who helps direct, inspire, and motivate? And more importantly, what can the practice of mentoring teach us about successful postsecondary student outcomes?
As a nonprofit based in education equity, College Success Foundation (CSF) provides a unique system of supports and scholarships to inspire undeserved, low-income students to finish high school, graduate from college and succeed in life. Part of college preparedness is academic, but of equal importance are the social and interpersonal skills necessary to persist and thrive. Continue reading...
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The National Mentoring Resource Center
Our goal is to improve the quality and effectiveness of youth mentoring across the country through increased use of evidence-based practices and sharing practitioner innovations.
Youth-Initiated Mentoring (YIM)
Understanding Youth Initiated Mentoring and How to Employ This Strategy with Today’s Youth
Starting a Youth Mentoring Program
The Starting a Youth Mentoring Program e-learning experience was developed to provide new programs with the knowledge and tools to build a solid foundation for a quality mentoring program. Each of the ten sessions included reviews best practices for designing, launching, operating, and sustaining a quality youth mentoring program based on the Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring™ Fourth Edition. In combination with other resources available to you through the OJJDP National Mentoring Resource Center, these modules will support you in increasing your knowledge, learning the skills and building the infrastructure necessary to support positive youth outcomes through mentoring.
Access Starting a Youth Mentoring Program Module
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Thank You, Mentor
January is National Mentoring Month and January 27th is "Thank Your Mentor Day". This short video includes a diverse group of individuals who work throughout OSPI.
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 Results from the COVID-19 Student Survey displayed by State, County and ESD and can be found on; https://www.k12.wa.us/student-success/health-safety/covid-19-student-survey (scroll down towards the bottom of the page to view them).
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The Children’s Hope Scale published in 1997 by Rick Snyder can be used to help measure hope in individuals age 8 to 16. Research has linked hope with overall physical, psychological, and social wellbeing. Children who can identify a means to carry out goals (pathways) and the ability to initiate and sustain action towards goals (agency) are considered more hopeful. Read more about the Children's Hope Scale here. If you are interested in the Adult Hope Scale, you can access it here.
DO-IT Mentors
DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) serves to increase the successful participation of individuals with disabilities in challenging academic programs and careers. Primary funding for DO-IT is provided by the National Science Foundation, the State of Washington, and the U.S. Department of Education. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant #HRD-0227995 and #HRD-0833504. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
DO-IT Mentors
Mentor WA
BEST (Beginning Educator Support Team) Program
Paraeducator Peer-Mentoring: Working Together for Student Success in Washington
Note: General mentoring information in this article was gathered from the “Passing on the Message” mentoring project developed in cooperation with the Puget Sound Education Service District, WEA, and supported by the Washington Education Association and the National Education Association.
Youth.GOV Information on Successful Relationships & Programs
Community for Youth (Seattle Metro area)
10 Tips for Building Relationships with Youth (NAAWEB)
Three ways that mentoring programs will be forever changed by COVID-19
Additional Mentor Resources here...
JANUARY 6: I AM A MENTOR DAY
JANUARY 17: INTERNATIONAL DAY OF MENTORING
JANUARY 17: DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY OF SERVICE
JANUARY 27: THANK YOUR MENTOR DAY
JANUARY 26 – 28: NATIONAL MENTORING SUMMIT – www.mentoring.org/summit
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