I mentor naf institute_july 2009

2009 Institute for Staff Development

Students Today, Leaders Tomorrow

Next Generation Mentoring How to Effectively Weave Technology into School-Based Mentoring



Mentoring and Technology??



Challenges of Mentoring Challenges of Mentoring ProgramsProgramsPARTICIPANTS

•Mentors & Mentees struggle to build quality relationships

•Mentors cannot travel to home communities of mentees

•Mentors do not have enough time to commit

•Mentors need flexibility in volunteer commitment

•Mentors want to take advantage of emerging technologies

•Mentees have limited access to quality mentors

•Mentees lack trust in previously unknown adults

•Mentees lack access to resources and opportunity



Challenges of Mentoring Challenges of Mentoring ProgramsProgramsPROGRAM STAFF

•Recruiting & screening quality mentors

•Matching mentor-mentee pairs

•Ensuring safety of mentee and mentor participants

•Relationship building among participants

•Evaluating quality and success of the program

•Scalability of program management



Technology as a SolutionTechnology as a SolutionIncorporating technology will benefit program staff and participants

1) Safely and effectively manage a high-quality, sustainable program

3) Ensure strong mentor-mentee matches

2) Increase the number of adults volunteering as mentors

4) Connect mentors with high-need youth



iMentor NYCiMentor NYC

• Founded in 1999

• High school students matched one-to-one with mentors

• Academic, career, and personal development

• Relationships developed online and in-person

• Currently 1,000 mentor-mentee matches



iMentor’s Mentoring iMentor’s Mentoring ModelModel

Using technology to develop mentoring relationships onlineRegularRegular

Email Email CommunicationCommunication

Regular Regular

In-Person MeetingsIn-Person Meetings

Email facilitates targeted, in-depth conversations

In-person meetings grow strong, personal relationships



Program ImpactProgram ImpactiMentor’s Example. Online Mentoring Works.iMentor’s Example. Online Mentoring Works.

98% of mentees have never had a mentor; 60% of never heard of “mentoring” as a concept or that mentoring programs existed

70% of mentors had never served as a mentor

93% of volunteers would recommend iMentor to their peers

A New Class of Mentors & A New Class of Mentors & MenteesMentees




Strong Strong RelationshipsRelationships

89% of mentees said they could “trust and depend on” their mentors

88% of mentees said the program made them more confident interacting with adults



Building Academic & Career Building Academic & Career SuccessSuccess

85% of mentees said iMentor made them a better student

88% were exposed to opportunities and experiences they wouldn’t have otherwise had access to

75% were more comfortable using email and other technologies




So… So… what is what is iMentor iMentor InteractiveInteractive??



iMentor InteractiveiMentor InteractiveThe Online Mentoring SolutionThe Online Mentoring Solution



Technology as a SolutionTechnology as a Solution

1) Safely and effectively manage a high-quality, sustainable program



Technology as a SolutionTechnology as a Solution

2) Increase the number of adults volunteering as mentors



Case StudyCase Study

Partners: United Way of Coastal Fairfield County, Bridgeport Public Schools, School Volunteer Association, Bridgeport Public Education Fund and Pitney Bowes

2008/2009 Program ParticipantsMentees: 10th & 11th gradeMentors: Community Volunteers (78% have never been a mentor before)Number of Pairs on iMi: 100Staffing: Program Coordinator (1)

Program StructureProgram Coordinator (PC) manages 100 mentor/mentee pairsStudents attend one of 3 high schools (“partner sites”)PC holds weekly in-class sessions with studentsMentors/mentees email (using curriculum) once per weekOne-year matches



Technology as a SolutionTechnology as a Solution3) Ensure strong mentor-mentee matches



Technology as a SolutionTechnology as a Solution4) Connect mentors with high-need youth



Case StudyCase Study

Partners: Local Elementary Schools

2008/2009 Program ParticipantsMentees: 4th grade studentsMentors: Community Volunteers Number of Pairs on iMi: 25Staffing: Program Admin & Coordinator (work on mentoring part time)

Program StructureStudents attend one of 2 elementary schools (“partner sites”)Mentors meet students after school for hourly visit, incorporate email writing as part of the visitMentors/mentees email once per weekOne-year matches

Questions?





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