Frequently Asked Questions
- What if I have physical limitations? Rock Climbing sounds way out of my league.
- I have no experience with youth. Is that a problem?
- I work full time, and it's often not 9 - 5. Will this work for mentoring?
- Who are the youth, and how do they get involved?
- How do you match? Do I have any say in what I think would make a good match?
- I've already had fingerprints done for my current position. Do I have to do them again?
- What if I don't have a car?
- Where do we hang out? What do we do?
- What if I can't commit for a year?
- What happens at the end of the year?
Q: What if I have physical limitations? Rock Climbing sounds way out of my league.
A: All activities are at a very introductory level and participation is strictly by choice. Mentors who are not interested in an activity have no obligation to participate, but may want to provide that opportunity for their youth. We have mentors of all ages and activity levels, and we hope that our list of activities is seen as an opportunity to try new things, not as intimidating.
Q: I have no experience with youth. Is that a problem?
A: Nope. We do not require that you have any experience with youth to become a mentor. We're looking for safe and caring adults who can be reliable and provide a good role model; that could be anyone!
Q: I work full time, and it's often not 9 - 5. Will this work for mentoring?
A: Absolutely. Most mentors are full time employees or students. You can schedule meetings with your youth around your schedule. We do ask that you are available Tuesday nights for mentor trainings.
Q: Who are the youth, and how do they get involved?
A: Please see the Youth. If you have more questions, please call Elaine at 503-542-2312. Many new mentors are nervous that they will be working with youth who have challenges that they don't feel equipped to handle. We understand the anxieties of new mentors and do everything we can to make good matches and train mentors for the experience. This said, all youth have been deemed appropriate by our screening team and have independently chosen to participate.
Q: How do you match? Do I have any say in what I think would make a good match?
A: We collect interest surveys and interview all youth and mentor applicants. Mentor Portland staff has years of experience in making strong matches based on the information you've provided to us. We consider background, skills, interests, personality, and the mentor's own childhood and life experiences in determining the match.
Q: I've already had fingerprints done for my current position. Do I have to do them again?
A: Yes. The state shreds fingerprint cards after they check them. We conduct our own prints to ensure that we receive prompt results and have the most accurate, up to date information on the backgrounds of our volunteers. Prints only take a few minutes and are done at the time of the interview.
Q: What if I don't have a car?
A: Mentors must have a valid driver's license, car insurance, and a good driving record. If you do not own a car you must have access to one regularly. If license is not OR or WA, volunteer is responsible for obtaining a driving record to be given to mentoring staff prior to orientation. Borrowing cars (when you're not on the policy) or having someone who is not a member of the community drive a youth are not allowed.
Q: Where do we hang out? What do we do?
A: We are a community based program, meaning you do not meet the youth at school. Most mentors pick their youth up at their home and then go to a planned activity. Mentors and youth schedule their own activities in addition to participating in program-planned activities. Program planned activities are always provided at no cost to participants, and we highly recommend that independent activities be low-cost or free. Youth are not allowed at the mentor's house, and pairs must stay within the tri-county area for the first six months of their relationship. Any questions about the appropriateness of activities can be directed towards program staff.
Q: What if I can't commit for a year?
A: We do have limited opportunities to volunteer on an intermittent basis. These volunteers provide support at special events, including camp. Please contact Shawna Chambers at 503-542-2701 for a VIP (Volunteer of Intermittent Periods) application.
Because matches that end early can do more harm than good, we do not enroll mentors who have doubts that they will be able to be in the program for at least a year.
Q: What happens at the end of the year?
A: There are three options for all pairs that reach their one year anniversary. First, they can continue as program participants, which gives them the opportunity to attend program activities. This option allows the pair to continue being covered by program insurance while together. Second, they can choose to continue to hang out independently of the program. Lastly, they can choose to formally close the relationship. Some mentors may want to be matched again, but a mentor would never have more than one youth enrolled in the program at one time.
If a mentor is interested in continuing as a team leader, they have the same options in regards to their relationship with their youth.