The Reach & Rise mentoring program trains adult volunteers to provide mentoring services to young people ages 6-17 for one year. We aim to help youth develop tools to cope with issues such as low self-esteem, family and peer conflicts, problems at school, and to improve their decision-making skills.
Mentors attend 15 hours of training over the course of approximately 4-5 weeks to prepare for the mentoring relationship. The training covers information about the program, expectations, basic therapeutic concepts, relationship building, understanding risk factors/mental health issues, how to handle safety issues, etc. If accepted into the program, mentors are then matched with a child. Optional monthly mentor support meetings with fellow mentors facilitated by Program Director are also available.
Mentors must be at least 23 years old, have a desire to work with youth, have an interest in counseling/mentoring, and have no prior felony convictions. They must submit to fingerprint screening for security purposes, provide proof of auto insurance and a copy of current driving record, and have no DUIs (if you plan to drive with mentee). Mentors sign a one-year commitment to meet at least one time a week for 1-3 hours (on average).
To learn more about becoming a mentor, contact Kimi Lirette at 850.291.7306 or email Klirette@ymcanwfl.org. To learn more about the YMCA of Northwest Florida, visit www.ymcanwfl.org.