Mentor

Since 2014, the Oliver Scholars Mentoring Program has sought to augment support services that Scholars receive. Each year, we seek to match rising Scholars with adult role models identified by Oliver to help students become more confident in themselves and to further develop the skills necessary for them to reach their potential as Scholars and leaders in their school and home communities.

Mentors embark on a two-year commitment, providing rising ninth graders with their first Mentor experience. Selected Mentors will play a key role in helping Oliver develop its newest class of Scholars into the standouts we know they can be.

We are no longer accepting applications. If you are interested in being a Mentor at Oliver, please check back in October 2019.

Why Mentor?

Mentoring, at its core, helps young people to feel like they matter. When they are mentored, our Scholars can see that there is someone who cares about them and feel assured that they do not have to be alone in dealing with day-to-day challenges. Research confirms that quality mentoring relationships have powerful positive effects on young people across their personal, academic, and professional situations. Ultimately, mentoring connects a young person to personal growth and development, and social and economic opportunity. Yet one-in-three young people will grow up without this critical asset.

According to the National Mentoring Partnership, when young adults considered at-risk are mentored, they are:

  • 55% more likely to enroll in college
  • 78% more likely to volunteer regularly
  • 90% are interested in becoming a Mentor
  • 130% more likely to hold leadership positions

Benefits of Mentoring

The mentoring relationship is mutually beneficial for all involved.

Mentors can…

  • Share their knowledge and insights with a motivated, interested young person
  • Refine and improve their communication, listening, and teaching skills
  • Develop a sense of fulfillment in supporting the growth of a young person
  • Develop a greater sense of purpose

Mentees can…

  • Be in a positive, safe, and growth-oriented relationship with a working professional
  • Learn how to accept feedback in important areas, such as communications, social abilities, change management, and leadership
  • Improve skills for managing interpersonal relationships
  • Secure networking contacts and increase networking skills
  • Receive feedback that is humane, honest, independent, and objective

Steps for Applying

  • Complete online application.
  • Participate in an interview: Oliver Scholars will email Mentoring Program applicants to schedule an interview.
  • Participate in screening process: Oliver Scholars screens Mentors to ensure that they have the time, commitment, and qualities to be a safe and effective Mentor. All potential Mentors will need to agree to a criminal background check (fingerprinting through GoPass). In order to move forward in the process, potential Mentors must pass the background check.
  • Participate in a training: A five-hour training and orientation prepares new Mentors for the upcoming experience. It is also a great opportunity to meet and learn from other Mentors.
  • Meet your Mentee on Match Day.
  • Provide updates on mentoring relationship: Once a match is made, Mentors will need to provide updates to Oliver Scholars once a month for the first six months (via an online check-in form) and once every three months thereafter. Mentors are required to attend a minimum of three Mentoring Program events each year.

Mentor Program Calendar

[2019]

October-January: Mentor recruitment and interviews on a rolling basis

December: Community Service Day for current Mentors

[2020]

January: Mentor Application closes - MLK Day

February: Mentor Training and Orientation

February: Mentee Training + Match Day

March: Spring Mentoring Program Activity

June: Summer Mentoring Program Activity

December: Winter Mentoring Program Activity

Why Mentor?

Mentoring, at its core, helps young people to feel like they matter. When they are mentored, our Scholars can see that there is someone who cares about them and feel assured that they do not have to be alone in dealing with day-to-day challenges. Research confirms that quality mentoring relationships have powerful positive effects on young people across their personal, academic, and professional situations. Ultimately, mentoring connects a young person to personal growth and development, and social and economic opportunity. Yet one-in-three young people will grow up without this critical asset.

According to the National Mentoring Partnership, when young adults considered at-risk are mentored, they are:

  • 55% more likely to enroll in college
  • 78% more likely to volunteer regularly
  • 90% are interested in becoming a Mentor
  • 130% more likely to hold leadership positions

Benefits of Mentoring

The mentoring relationship is mutually beneficial for all involved.

Mentors can…

  • Share their knowledge and insights with a motivated, interested young person
  • Refine and improve their communication, listening, and teaching skills
  • Develop a sense of fulfillment in supporting the growth of a young person
  • Develop a greater sense of purpose

Mentees can…

  • Be in a positive, safe, and growth-oriented relationship with a working professional
  • Learn how to accept feedback in important areas, such as communications, social abilities, change management, and leadership
  • Improve skills for managing interpersonal relationships
  • Secure networking contacts and increase networking skills
  • Receive feedback that is humane, honest, independent, and objective

Steps for Applying

  • Complete online application.
  • Participate in an interview: Oliver Scholars will email Mentoring Program applicants to schedule an interview.
  • Participate in screening process: Oliver Scholars screens Mentors to ensure that they have the time, commitment, and qualities to be a safe and effective Mentor. All potential Mentors will need to agree to a criminal background check (fingerprinting through GoPass). In order to move forward in the process, potential Mentors must pass the background check.
  • Participate in a training: A five-hour training and orientation prepares new Mentors for the upcoming experience. It is also a great opportunity to meet and learn from other Mentors.
  • Meet your Mentee on Match Day.
  • Provide updates on mentoring relationship: Once a match is made, Mentors will need to provide updates to Oliver Scholars once a month for the first six months (via an online check-in form) and once every three months thereafter. Mentors are required to attend a minimum of three Mentoring Program events each year.

Mentor Program Calendar

[2019]

October-January: Mentor recruitment and interviews on a rolling basis

December: Community Service Day for current Mentors

[2020]

January: Mentor Application closes - MLK Day

February: Mentor Training and Orientation

February: Mentee Training + Match Day

March: Spring Mentoring Program Activity

June: Summer Mentoring Program Activity

December: Winter Mentoring Program Activity

Should you apply?

If you can answer YES to all the prompts below, please consider applying to be a Mentor with Oliver Scholars:

  • I have the desire to build a positive, safe, growth-oriented relationship with a young adult
  • I have a Bachelor's degree and at least two years of work experience
  • I can commit at least two consecutive years to a Mentor relationship
  • I am not planning on moving or changing jobs in the next 12 months
  • I am not in the process of graduating from school and/or looking for a job
  • I am not planning a wedding or other major life event in the next 12 months
  • I am comfortable with the expectations of being a Mentor

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is mentoring?

Mentoring is a professional relationship in which an experienced person (the Mentor) assists another (the Mentee) in developing specific skills and knowledge that will enhance the less-experienced person’s professional and personal growth. In this case, Mentors are professionals who work regularly with Scholars to help them to develop strategies critical to their educational, career, and life success. Mentors share the unwritten, often unspoken rules and practices that operate in most professional spheres, but which many Scholars do not know about or understand how to navigate.

What is the overall commitment for Mentors?

Oliver Scholars seeks Mentors who can meet consistently with a Scholar for two consecutive years. New Mentors will connect with Scholars just before they begin ninth grade and continue through their sophomore year.

How will I communicate with my Mentee? Will we need to meet face-to-face?

Communication may be in person, via phone, e-mail, or web meeting.

How often will I meet with my Mentee?
Mentors and Mentees should meet at least once a month in person if the Scholar attends a day school in New York City. If the Scholar is attending a boarding school, Mentors should meet monthly via the phone or web when the Scholar is away, and in person during school breaks/vacations. In addition, Oliver expects that Mentors will independently organize at least one college visit with their Scholar each year.
How will I be matched with a Mentee?
First, you will need to complete an application and screening process, which includes an interview, criminal background check, and five-hour training session. We will use that information to create a Mentor profile that will be evaluated side-by-side with student profiles to assess best fit. The Mentoring Program will make a match and share the profiles with the Mentor and the Scholar’s family.