First Steps

Questions you may need answered?

1. How do I qualify to become a mentor?

Ministry requirements:

• *Pray first!!
• *Our traditional mentoring opportunity requires a one year commitment to a child (weekly contact).
• *Step Up also offers short term mentoring opportunities.  This is for Foster Youth who have turned 18
•   and are living on thier own. (3 to 6 month commitment).
• *Complete an online mentor application
• *Meet and interview with a Ministry Leader
• *Attend the Monthly Pow Wow (first Monday of every month).
• County of San Diego & S.D.Y.C.S Requirements: (This is for long term mentoring only)
• *A one year commitment to a child
• *Minimum contact 2 hours a week (weekends, evenings or during the day)
• *Must be at least 18 years of age
• *Provide proof of CA Driver's License and proof of auto insurance.
• *Pass all criminal clearances
• *Schedule an initial interview with the County Mentor Program or S.D.Y.C.S. (after you interview with the Ministry)
• *Attend a training session through the County of San Diego or S.D.Y.C.S. (San Diego Youth & Community Services)
• *Contact Anna Tran at (858) 503-2626 from the San Diego Mentor program or
• *Donna Luffe at (619) 221-8610 ext. 270 from S.D.Y.C.S. (San Diego Youth & Community Services) Both organizatins provide mentors for foster youth!
• 1.What are the ages of the children to mentored?  6-18 years old

2. I'm a single parent, can I still be a mentor? Yes!!

3. Can my spouse and I mentor the same child?  Yes, that would be wonderful!

What do I do as mentor?

Show Up on time and when you say you will everytime!!

• Appropriately share your life experiences, and interests with a youth, this is the beginning of mentoring.
• Help them acquire knowledge, information, or skills to recognize their spiritual gifts, and or strengths.
• Share in their interests and experiences, by spending time talking with them, this helps boost self-esteem.
• Give support to their efforts.
• They often feel that nothing they do is right, so keep an eye out for learning and teachable moments.
• Show your mentee new experiences (remember many of these kids have never eaten at a restraunt or been to the ocean.)
• Hang out, have fun in the San Diego sun!

Additional information:

Mentors may observe signs of success from their mentees as a result of the relationship, such as:

• Improved school attendance
• Improved eye contact
• Happier in school
• Happier all around
• Increased consideration of others
• Decreased hostility
• Improved attitude
• Opening up to?a mentor
• Improved interactions with peers
• Smiling
• Improved appearence
• Interested in church, may even ask to come!
• Asking more questions about God

Something else to think about...

Many of these kids have been disappointed by previous relationships with adults (mother, father, and other relatives). Be patient. It may take a while for your mentee to overcome his/her hesitance and begin to trust you.  View your purpose in this ministry as giving, understanding that, at least initially, the relationship may be different than what you thought.

Thank you for your interest in the Step Up The Rock's Foster Youth Ministry!

"Train up a child the way he should go and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6

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