Aboriginal Youth Mentoring Program

1
Aboriginal Youth Mentoring Program

• Cheryl Webster-Aboriginal Youth Mentoring
  Coordinator
• Carrier Sekani Tribal Council

2
What is Mentoring?

• There are five types of mentoring programs
• E-mentoring primarily through internet, chat
  rooms
• Business mentoring based on career plan or area
  of interest
• School-based mentoring help with homework,
  reading and communication
• Community based mentoring learning about your
  community and what it has to offer
• Faith based mentoring faith based in conjunction
  with a church or something similar.

3
Objective of the program

• Mentoring youth will build their self-esteem,
  confidence, and communication skills
• Keep them in school
• Skill development
• Be a role model
• Advocate
• Be a friend

4
Commitment

• Mentors and youth
• Usually 1-3 hours per week or will depend on the
  types of activities and the availability of
  mentors mentees.
• Meet once a month for group activities potluck
• Each paired group will be required to meet once a
  week and work out a schedule of activities with
  coordinator to complete monthly

5
Mentoring Possibilities

• Education- Youth may need assistance with
  homework, studying, research, courage to access
  resources school have on site. Library, study
  hall and homework clubs
• Training- working with youth in or outside of the
  workplace to share knowledge of particular
  skills, challenges, solutions, and opportunities.

6
Mentoring Possibilities cont.

• Sports-accompanying youth to practice and/or
  games, teaching youth new sports skills,
  introducing youth to sports and people in the
  community. Hockey, basketball, rugby, tennis
• Recreation-teaching youth new skills, introducing
  youth to new areas of recreation. Eg camping,
  hiking, mountain climbing

7
Mentoring Possibilities cont.

• Culture- accompanying youth to cultural
  activities offered in community feasts, dance /
  drum group sessions, cultural camps and singing.
• Life skills- teaching problem solving skills,
  connecting youth to resources in the community,
  and/or personal development skills
• Eg. Canning food, budgeting, and shoppping

8
Role and Responsibilities

• Your role as mentor
• Take the lead in establishing the friendship
• Build a special friendship and have fun together
• Talk, listen, support, guide, encourage- believe
  in them and help them believe in themselves
• Keep others informed about what youre doing. In
  most of case with the coordinator, family and
  school (if applicable)

9
Role and Responsibilities

• Youth
• Be honest and open with coordinator and mentor
• Attend regularly
• Provide feedback
• Fully participant in activities

10
Role and Responsibilities cont.

• Our role as coordinator
• Be there for the youth, elders and mentors
• Do our best to match a youth who shares your
  interests, location , and schedule.
• Keep in touch with youth and mentors through
  phone call, and visits to do follow-up
• Send a copy of the newsletter
• Help make the match successful
• Schedule the monthly potluck, achievements and
  activities for the group.
• Update you with community opportunities to share
  with your youth.

11
Program Activities

• Each program will have basic activities along
  with group activities each pair can attend but
  will depend on their current schedule and their
  level of commitment.
• Group activities will be monthly followed by a
  potluck style dinner. To celebrate achievements
  there will students honoured throughout the year
  personal and professional skills obtained and
  recognition for their commitment to the program.
• Fundraising activities are must from all
  participants

12
Community Partners

• There a consistent need to work closely with
  other organizations serving the youth population
• To streamline access to programs
• Share information and network
• Plan and implement program activities

13
Closing Remarks

• Collaboration is key
• Networking and sharing of information
• Advocate and support each other work
• Provide feedback

Thank you and I look forward to working with all
of you