How to be a Mentor

What Is A Mentor?

A mentor is a trusted adult friend with a long-term, consistent commitment to provide guidance and support to a youth. Formal Mentoring Programs are focused on supporting the relationship between mentor and youth (mentee) and developing the character and capabilities of the young person. At the most basic level a mentor is there to help the young person understand that they are valued by their community and were born with their own unique gifts and purpose. At the deepest level mentors stand by and guide young people when they suffer the challenges and initiations in their development.

What Is The Commitment Of A Mentor?

Our Project King typically last ten months. During that time, a mentor is asked to participate in the Project King program is every 1st Saturday (Fort Wayne), 3rd Friday (Indianapolis) and 3rd Saturday (Indianapolis) monthly for 4-6 hours, the Annual Kings Feast Symposium in mid-July (Fort Wayne) and mid-September (Indianapolis), and the service projects the mentees participate in on a semi-annual basis. Youth mentoring connection supports our mentors with training, follow-up training opportunities and ongoing support that is not limited to standard work hours.

Community-Based Mentoring Opportunities

Project King is a community-based program serving under-served youth throughout Fort Wayne and Indianapolis communities. Our mentoring programs are relationship-based – through developing a trusting relationship with a caring, consistent adult, our youth are able to develop more trust and esteem in themselves.

How It Works

Our mentoring programs are each structured as a 10-month commitment with scheduled monthly meetings, to provide support and build community for mentors and mentees. Our mentors come to the monthly Project King program and participate in the group discussions, helping the young men to learn about the different topics and begin to build a relationship with the mentees. We are only asking for 4-6 hours a month for the mentor, however, if there is a connection between a mentor and mentee, it is up to the mentor to continue that relationship themselves outside of the program.

Anyone Can Be A Mentor

Staff provides training and support to mentors – our goal is to be there for you so you can be there for our youth! No special skills are required, just the desire to help a young person reach his or her full potential. Mentors should be age 21 or over (but we may be able to work with you if you’re between 18-21 – give us a call to talk more about it!). We ask that mentors be able to keep their commitment. We ask mentors to show up, role model participation, be genuine, and be themselves. We conduct an interview, background check, and mentor training to ensure the safety of our youth, and to prepare mentors for what to expect. From there – the rest of the magic happens on its own through the mentoring process!