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Become a
Volunteer Mentor with the
Mental Health Association - Project Together (MHA-PT)
Mentor Program
“Should I Become a Mentor?”
Click here to see
if mentoring is for you.
Mentoring-The presence of caring
individuals who, along with parents or guardians, provide youth
with support, advice, friendship, reinforcement and example that
can help youth from all circumstances succeed.
Children and teens today often face tough obstacles, but a
mentor can help to make a difference. Studies show that children
with mentors learn to make better decisions, develop healthy
values and have a greater sense of worth.
Being a mentor is a fun and rewarding experience that can impact
a child’s future. Mentors are students, parents, business
owners, teachers and other responsible adults. Mentors, by being
a trusted friend and stable adult role model, help children
develop self-esteem, confidence and social skills. All that is
needed is the desire to help a young person grow to achieve his
or her fullest potential.
Mentors with the Mental Health Association - Project Together (MHA-PT) Mentor Program are matched with children
and youth who are receiving services through the County of
Orange Health Care Agency/Behavioral Health Services/Children
and Youth Services (CYS) program and CYS contract agencies. The
MHA-PT Mentor Program staff members recruit, train and supervise
responsible adult volunteers and once matched, the mentor works
to form a trusting, nurturing one-to-one relationship with the
youth. With a positive adult influence in the child/teen’s life,
he or she can experience increased self-esteem and improved
family and social relationships. Additionally, it is believed
that the mentor/child match may promote the child’s overall
functioning and improve the treatment prognosis.
To become a mentor, one must complete a thorough screening and
training process. Mentor-child matches are made according to
mutual interests and geographic location. Once matched, mentors
must submit monthly reports, work as part of the youth’s
therapeutic team and meet regularly with the MHA-PT Mentor Program
staff and the child’s therapist. Mentors are asked to make a
minimum commitment to meet with the child at least 8
hours per month for 6 months to one year.
Minimum requirements to become a volunteer youth mentor include:
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Age 18 or older
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Reside in Orange County, California
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Successfully complete various criminal and
non-criminal background and reference screening procedures
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Have never been accused, arrested, charged
or convicted of child abuse, molestation or neglect
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Have access to a reliable automobile
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Maintain a current California driver’s
license, auto insurance and good driving record (driving
record must reflect a 5-year minimum for misdemeanor
offenses such as DUI)
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Not be in treatment for substance abuse.
If in recovery, must have a minimum of 5 years clean and
sober
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Adhere to all MHA-PT and MHA-PT Mentor Program
policies, procedures and program standards
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Successfully complete an initial six-hour
training program and attend ongoing additional training
sessions and informational meetings
To learn more about the mentor program, please
contact
Sharon Clark
Program Director, MHA-PT Mentor Program
Phone: (714) 836-0355
Email:
mvasquez@mhaoc.org
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