Maximising the Impact of Youth Mentoring
In youth mentoring, particularly for teenagers aged 13-15, the mentee selection process is crucial. At Raise, we pride ourselves on working with our school partners to ensure the mentee selection process is approached in detail to ensure that the right students are selected to be part of our program.
Understanding the 13-15 Age Group
The early teenage years are a critical period of development. At this age, young people are navigating complex social dynamics, forming their identities, and often facing challenges that can significantly impact their future. This is precisely why youth mentoring and early intervention can be so powerful during this time.
The Raise Approach to Mentee Selection
Our school partners play a vital role in identifying students who could benefit most from mentoring. Through our years of experience and feedback from teachers, we've identified several key factors that guide this selection process:
1. Potential for Growth - We look for students who may be "flying under the radar" - those who aren't necessarily struggling dramatically but could benefit from additional support to reach their full potential. This includes students who:
- Have challenges with setting and achieving goals
- Are experiencing low confidence or stress
- Are lacking in social and emotional skills
- Have not found a stable friendship circle
- Are disorganised or struggling with time management
2. School Engagement - We consider students who:
- Have a reasonable attendance level, but may not be enjoying school
- Are not well connected in the school community
- May be acting out as a bully or are a bullying victim
3. Personal Circumstances - We recognise that various life situations can impact a student's need for mentoring, such as:
- Facing or having faced a family challenge
- Experiencing a disability, illness, or death in the family
- Coming from a large family where individual attention may be limited
4. Readiness for Engagement - While we aim to help students who may be disengaging from school, we also consider a student's willingness to participate. The voluntary nature of the program is crucial for its success.
5. Diverse Needs - From boosting self-confidence to improving social skills or navigating challenging family dynamics, we recognise that the reasons for needing a mentor are varied and personal.
6. Holistic View - Input from various school staff - teachers, year advisors, wellbeing teams - helps create a comprehensive picture of a student's needs and potential to benefit from mentoring. This includes identifying students who:
- Teachers want to spend time with but are unable to due to other demands
- Have slipped through the cracks or are sitting in the background
By considering these diverse factors, we aim to select mentees who are not only in need of support but also in a position to benefit significantly from the mentoring relationship.
The Impact of Thoughtful Selection
By carefully preparing and working closely with schools to select the right mentees, we've observed several key benefits that align with our mission to create thriving young people:
- Enhanced Engagement: Students who are ready for mentoring tend to engage more fully in the process, leading to stronger mentor-mentee relationships. This engagement is crucial in creating a safe space for young people to explore their emotions and develop their confidence.
- Targeted Support: By identifying specific areas where a student could benefit, we can tailor the mentoring experience to address their unique needs. This personalized approach helps mentees learn valuable coping mechanisms and life skills, enabling them to navigate all of life's ups and downs.
- Ripple Effect: Often, the positive changes in mentored students inspire their peers, creating a broader impact within the school community. As mentees grow in resilience and self-belief, they become positive influences on those around them.
- Maximised Resources: With limited spots available, thoughtful selection ensures that our resources are directed where they can have the most significant impact. This allows us to focus on empowering young people to be resilient, capable and connected.
- Building Foundations for Future Success: Through mentoring, we help young people develop the confidence to engage at school, form healthy relationships, and set goals for their future. This foundational support is essential for their long-term wellbeing and success.
By carefully selecting mentees who are ready to embrace this opportunity, we create an environment where young people can truly flourish. Our mentoring program provides a unique 'third space' - outside of home and school - where young people can feel heard, supported, and empowered to face life's challenges with resilience and optimism.
Why Mentoring Matters for Teens: The Raise Early Intervention Approach
At Raise, we believe in the power of early 'upstream' intervention. Since 2008, we've been at the forefront of youth mentoring, delivering over 1,200 early intervention youth wellbeing programs across Australia. Our approach is unique and impactful:
Early Intervention Strategy: We focus on providing support before major issues arise. By intervening early, we help young people develop the skills and resilience they need to navigate adolescence and beyond.
Emotional and Social Skill Development: Our mentoring programs create safe spaces for teens to express their feelings, discuss challenges, and receive guidance. This fosters emotional resilience, improves communication skills, and enhances the ability to build healthy relationships.
Equipping for the Future: While we can't remove all barriers and challenges, we can equip young people with tools, skills, and resources to support their mental health, social and emotional wellbeing, and school engagement. These skills become accessible go-to strategies for life.
Increased Hope and Academic Improvement: With mentor support, young people are better equipped to set and achieve goals. This fosters a growth mindset, crucial for overcoming obstacles and pursuing success. Higher levels of hope are associated with improved academic performance and increased school engagement.
Resilience and Coping Skills: Our mentors play a vital role in helping young people build resilience. By providing consistent support and guidance, they help teens develop coping strategies to deal with adversity and adapt to new situations.
Enhanced Peer and Teacher Relationships: The positive impact of mentoring extends to improved relationships with peers and teachers. Mentees often exhibit better behaviour, increased engagement in school activities, and improved academic confidence.
Through our programs, managed by qualified counsellors, we've recruited, screened, and trained over 10,000 volunteers to become youth mentors. These everyday heroes show up week after week as independent, caring, and trusted mentors, supporting over 15,000 young people to date.
By focusing on early intervention, we're not just helping teens cope with today's challenges - we're filling their backpacks with tools for the future, empowering them to thrive throughout their lives.
Real Stories of Impact
Our mentoring program has made a tangible difference in the lives of many young people. Here are a few testimonials from parents, carers and mentees:
Fiona: "He seems much happier and is kinder, more loving, and less irritated at home."
Holly: "I felt that as parents, we may not be experts in providing all the right advice, and I believe a mentor can make a positive impact on a child's future."
Richard: "My daughter is more open to conversations with me. It has tremendously helped our relationship!"
Chiara: "I have a happy kid back in my family. She can cope a lot more and is so much better at dealing with things."
Mentee: "This program has been great. It helped me understand myself more and has changed my personality and the way I approach things."
Mentee: "I've been able to figure things out that I wasn't able to understand about myself through my mentor."
Looking Ahead
As we continue to refine our mentee selection process, we're excited about the potential to reach even more young people who can benefit from mentoring. By partnering closely with schools and leveraging the insights of educators, we're constantly improving our ability to match the right students with this life-changing opportunity.
At Raise, we believe that every young person deserves the chance to thrive. Through careful mentee selection and our dedicated mentoring programs, we're working to make that belief a reality for teenagers across Australia.
Are you an educator interested in bringing the Raise mentoring program to your school? Contact us to learn more about how we can work together to support your students.
