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Finding a Mentor
Finding an adult to mentor you during transitions out of middle or high school may sound difficult at first, but you have more power to make this happen than what you might imagine. Often that power is as simple as knowing who and how to ask.
Mentoring
A mentor is meant to support and encourage you so you can maximize your potential, develop skills, improve performance and become the person you want to be. They can help you learn more about a career, or more about yourself.
Five Steps to Finding a Youth Mentor
1. UNDERSTAND PURPOSE OF MENTORING
- A mentor is interested in your success, not just in school but in life. They encourage you to find your own answers rather than telling you what to do. They see and understand you in a unique way.
2. DEFINE YOUR GOALS AND CHALLENGES
- Consider your current goals related to school, friendships, interests, or career. What personal or learning challenges do you face? If you lack goals, or feel lost, that’s okay. Maybe your goal is to discover yourself and what’s important to you.
3. FIND A MENTOR WHO KNOWS YOU
- Mentoring relationships most often evolve through your existing social networks. Who do you most admire? Why? Who might best support your goals?
4. ASK FOR WHAT YOU WANT
- Most adults, when asked to mentor a young person, feel honored. Ask for 3o minutes of initial time with your top choice and show up ready to have a productive conversation.
5. HELP BUILD A POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP
- Mentoring is not one-sided. Your mentor will learn as much from you as you do from them. Be open, respectful, and honest. Ask questions. Learn what your mentor values.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton and Hamilton
If you find yourself, or have a friend in vulnerable situations and facing adversities such as mental health issues, family violence, identity issues or poor living conditions, mentors at Big Brothers Big Sisters advise and challenge young people, act as their champions, provide greater consistency in their lives, connect them to broader experiences, opportunities and networks, and provide safe, nonjudgmental environments in which you can confide anything.
Black Mentorship Inc.
Black Mentorship Inc. (BMI) strengthens leadership opportunities for ALL people by connecting Black youths, professionals and entrepreneurs at different stages of personal and professional growth with experienced mentors through a unique mentoring program.
Bridge Builders Mentorship
Bridge Builders Mentorship (BBM) works to bridge the gaps in education for refugee and immigrant youth by promoting equity and accessibility through 1-on-1 academic tutoring and mentorship, assistance with scholarship and university applications and academic, career, study and lifestyle workshops. Access BBM Resources HERE.
Their list of services include:
- Tutoring & Workshops
- 1 on 1 Mentorship
- University/College Application Navigation
- Career Navigation & Exploration
- Scholarship Navigation & Support
- Resume & Cover Letter Support
GEM Mentorship for Girls
GEM Mentorship for Girls believes that women mentoring girls is essential to fostering the success of the next generation and critical to creating gender equity in Canada. It focuses on mentoring girls in high school facing socio-economic barriers, helping them achieve their academic and career potential.
