Mentoring Initiative PDF Print E-mail
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College Points! Illinois Central College students who wish to concentrate their area of study in a health career have the opportunity to earn points in the admission process if they participate in volunteer activities.  The gitm Mentoring program in conjunction with the No Child Left Inside Initiative and the Exergaming for Health Research Study has been approved for prospective Health Career students to earn points by participating in this program.

The Mission of the gitm Mentoring Program is

to empower youth by providing opportunities to achieve sustained success in making healthy lifestyle changes for optimal physical health and ultimately enable youth to reach their fullest potential through positive mentoring and in a nature enriched environment.

The gitm Mentoring Program envisions our youth in a nurturing relationship where youth can improve their physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health in a predominately nature rich environment, through a trusting mentoring relationship.

The gitm Mentoring Program seeks to

1. Provide post-programming mentee options for youth, ages 8-14, completing the Exergaming for Health Program.
2. Provide mentor opportunities for youth, ages 15-21.
3. Provide mentee opportunity for youth outside of the Exergaming for Health Program.

Become a Mentor

We have all had a teacher, supervisor, a boss or coach that we looked up to.  Those people wore many hats.  They acted as delegators, role models, cheerleaders, policy enforcers, advocates, and friends.  As a mentor you will wear these same hats.

Mentors understand the need to assume a number of different roles during the course of a mentoring relationship, but successful mentors also share the same basic qualities:

  • A sincere desire to be involved with a young person
  • Respect people
  • Listen actively
  • Empathsize
  • See solutions and opportunities
  • Be flexible and open

As you and your mentee begin your communication; exploring values, interests and goals, you will find yourself making a difference and having a positive effect on a young person's life.  What you may also be surprised to see is that you will be learning more about yourself, too.  Mentoring is a shared opportunity for learning and growth.  Mentoring doesn't just affect the young person.  It is a unique opportunity to grow and give back at the same time.

Mentoring provides significant benefits.  As a mentor, you will be

  • Making a difference in someone else's life
  • Learning about our relationship to nature
  • Learning about yourself
  • Giving back and contributing to the future
  • Having fun

Good mentors are willing to take time to get to know their mentees, to learn new things that are important to the young person, and even to be changed by their relationship.  Accept the challenges and rewards or mentoring and experience the benefits that will last each of you a lifetime.

A Mentee could be you!  A Mentee is a young person who

  • Wants to work with another to achieve their goals
  • May be seeking guidance from someone other than a parent
  • Is looking for friendship and support
  • Wants to have fun!

 

The definition of a Mentee is as varied as the number of kids you pass by in the halls at school each day.  Part of your job as a Mentee will be to communicate who you are to your Mentor.  Being a Mentee takes some hard work, but the rewards are worth it.

Commitment: We ask for a 6-month commitment to the program, to attend 1-2 mentoring events per month and to have mentor/mentee contact at least weekly.

Mentoring Events: There will be mentoring events scheduled for the mentor and mentee to attend.  All mentoring events will be supervised by a member of the gitm Mentoring staff.  Every effort will be made to schedule these activities outside, in a predominately nature-rich environment.

 If you are interested in more information about this program or would like a mentor or mentee application or to inquire about mentor training dates and times, contact us.