Broaden your youth's network of support

Mentoring is a dedicated relationship between an adult and a youth that focuses on developing the young person's character and abilities. A mentor is a trusted friend and guide who listens to and supports the youth. Mentors play a crucial role in modeling respect and healthy boundaries, identifying strengths and possibilities, introducing new activities, affirming youth identity, and creating a sense of belonging within the community. The presence of multiple caring adults providing support, advice, friendship, reinforcement, and constructive examples is a powerful tool for helping young people reach their full potential. A mentor may be: A Friend A Reliable Listener A Homework Helper A Trustworthy Confidant A Role Model or a Coach A Mentor is NOT: A Parent/Guardian/Foster Parent A Therapist A Cool Peer A Babysitter A Parole Officer An ATM Machine A Taxi Cab A Savior

A sincere desire to be involved in a young person’s life Availability in your schedule to spend at least 4 hours per month with your mentee Respect for young people Active listening skills Empathy Ability to see solutions and opportunities Flexibility Above all, a good mentor is willing to take the time to get to know their mentee, to learn new things that are important to the young person, and be ready to grow in your relationship.

Many benefits reported by mentors such as: feeling valued learning more about themselves discovering new activities in the community improving self esteem and feeling they are making a difference gaining a better understanding of other cultures developing a greater appreciation for diversity feeling more productive and having a better attitude at work enhancing their relationships with their own children permission to have fun again connection to youth and the next generation. There is a critical need for more male and culturally diverse mentors, so that youth can have mentors that look and live the way they do. No matter what age you are, we all benefit from the support of mentors in our lives. Mentors bring unique skills, passions, and perspectives that can enhance a young person's development in ways that they might not encounter otherwise.

Mentoring offers numerous benefits to youth, significantly enhancing their personal, academic, and social development. Here are some ways mentoring helps: Emotional Support: Mentors provide a stable, supportive relationship that can help youth navigate the challenges of growing up, offering reassurance and a sense of security. Skill Development: Mentors help youth develop critical life skills such as communication, problem-solving, and decision-making. These skills are essential for personal and professional success. Increased Confidence: Having a mentor boosts a young person's self-esteem and confidence by providing positive reinforcement and recognizing their strengths and achievements. Academic Improvement: Studies have shown that mentored youth often have better academic performance, including higher grades and increased attendance rates. Mentors can offer help with homework, encourage good study habits, and foster a love of learning. Exposure to New Experiences: Mentors introduce youth to new activities, hobbies, and perspectives, broadening their horizons and encouraging them to explore different interests and career possibilities. Healthy Relationships: Mentors model respectful and healthy boundaries, teaching youth how to build and maintain positive relationships with others. Community Connection: Mentoring helps youth feel more connected to their community, fostering a sense of belonging and encouraging them to give back. Goal Setting: Mentors assist youth in setting and achieving personal and academic goals, which helps them develop a sense of purpose and direction.

The youth in our program are from the Twin Ports area and range in age from 7 to 17. Importantly, they have expressed a desire for a mentor. Our youth represent diverse backgrounds, including the LGBTQ+ community, BIPOC communities, individuals with disabilities, and more. We support children from families with financial stability and those facing economic challenges. All children benefit from having more supportive adult relationships and opportunities to grow. Many families enrolling know another family already in our program and love the opportunities and support they get from Mentor North. We are also at a variety of community events throughout the year to meet potential youth, families, and mentors. Mentor North has connections with both the Duluth and Superior School Districts and many other youth-serving organizations.

Mentors commit to spending at least four hours per month with their mentees in order to consistently show up in their youth’s life. The mentorship is also a commitment of at least one year to ensure enough time to get to know each other and connect as a match. Many of our matches spend more time together and go beyond that first year, but the schedule is flexible and fits each unique match. Every year, mentors, youth, and families have an opportunity to review the match and decide if everyone would like to continue. Our average match length is about 3.4 years, and our longest is around 11 years!

This program is designed to be free or low-cost for everyone involved. Enrollment is free, and we encourage low-cost or free activities to do together, like going to the beach or hiking. Matches get an Activities Pass for free/reduced-cost activities throughout the Twin Ports region. Mentor North offers free events and activities and supports program partnerships that provide these opportunities. Mentors and families receive a weekly newsletter with free community activities and other events or ideas for fun things to do! Mentors are not expected to spend money on the match, but if there is an activity they do that requires a fee, the mentor is responsible. You can work with Mentor North staff to find resources and local partnerships to help if needed.

When you hang out with your mentee, the possibilities are endless! You two decide what to do together. You might go for a walk, cook dinner, hit the court, attend an event, or get creative. The fun part is you get to spend time doing what you enjoy or try something new together. We will definitely help you with ideas of what to do with your mentee! You will get a weekly newsletter with a list of free and low cost activities happening in the Twin Ports area. Mentor North also partners with many local groups to provide tickets to sporting/arts events and opportunities throughout the year. Year round, we have nearly 40 places on our Mentor North Activity Pass for you to go and get free admission or discounted access.

Mentor North puts a lot of time and thought into mentor-mentee pairings. We match mentors and mentees based on preferences collected during the application process, compatible personalities, lived experiences, shared interests, geographic location, and gender identity. Once a match has been identified, a series of meetings with the Program Advocate, mentor, parent/guardian, and youth determines if the match is a good fit for everyone.

Safety is our top priority, and we have a rigorous and professional screening process to ensure your child is matched with a safe and supportive adult. It begins with an application and phone interview, followed by an in-person screening conducted by trained and qualified screening professionals. We conduct reference checks, a Motor Vehicle Report Check, and a Criminal Background Check and assess the mentor through multiple staff interactions. Throughout this process, mentors are also trained on program expectations and boundaries before meeting you or your youth. Mentor North accepts mentors from all identities and backgrounds, but all mentors must be willing to accept and affirm a youth’s identity. Not all applicants complete the process, and we reserve the right to deny any applicants.

We are intentional about ensuring the match is successful and enjoyable for both the youth and mentor. We do not make matches based on how long a youth has been enrolled but on other factors like shared interests, personality, parent/guardian recommendations, and the kind of person the youth wants their mentor to be. Therefore, finding the right match can take six months to a year (sometimes longer). Currently, requests for BIPOC and male mentors take more time, as we get fewer applicants that match those characteristics While waiting for a mentor, youth and families are invited to attend Mentor North events, receive a weekly email listing free community events, and receive support from Program Advocates. An updated bio on the youth will be done every six months to ensure we have the most updated information and interests about them. Pre-made matches can speed up the process significantly if you have a caring adult already in mind.

Mentors, mentees, and families have a dedicated staff member (Program Advocate) to facilitate meetings, support communication, and help resolve any issues that arise during the match. We can also help provide resources or connections for families with a specific need. Activities Pass and weekly newsletter for free or low-cost activities and other fun ideas! Mental Health Consultant for support with: navigating mental health services, resources, and referrals understanding trauma, mental health, and/or behaviors learning new skills Mentor Meet-ups are events exclusively for mentors to connect with each other, share the successes/challenges of mentoring, and learn how to be effective mentors. Ongoing opportunities for training and learning!

The average onboarding is an intentional three-month process where you get time to feel prepared to mentor, and we have a chance to get to know you well. The main steps for mentor candidates include: Online application and initial phone interview. Two-hour virtual New Mentor Orientation 1-hour in-person screening interview Reference calls and background checks Selection by Mentor North staff of a youth that matches your interests and preferences Meeting with the Program Advocate assigned to that youth’s family Meeting with the parent/guardian Meeting with the youth, their family and the Program Advocate Plan your first outing!

Online or paper application Family and youth interviews typically take place at your home, so it’s most comfortable and convenient. This allows our staff to get to know you and your youth well, ensuring the best match possible! Please note that a PA can come to your home, meet you in the community, or call you to complete the application and initial interview. While waiting for a mentor, youth and families are invited to attend Mentor North events, receive a weekly email listing free community events, and receive Program Advocate support. An updated bio on the youth will be done every six months to ensure we have the most updated information and interests about them.

You don't need to have your life perfectly together to be a mentor. Being imperfect makes you more relatable and authentic. Mentoring is about being a trusted friend and guide, offering support, and sharing your experiences. Your journey, with all its ups and downs, can provide valuable lessons and insights for a young person. Imperfect people are great mentors because they can model resilience, empathy, and growth. What's most important is your willingness to listen, support, and positively impact a young person's life. Your authenticity and commitment are what truly make a difference.

Mentors still have lives outside of volunteering. Feel free to take vacations or travel for work whenever you need to. When you're away, please let your mentee and their caregiver know beforehand, and let them know when you'll be back and catch up again. Texts, phone calls, or video calls are a great way to touch base when you can’t meet in person.

We focus on a 1:1 mentoring relationship, but each case is evaluated on what will work best for everyone. Once you, your mentee, and both of your families get to know each other better, it is okay if a partner/spouse/child is around or participating in an activity with you occasionally. We just ask that you get your mentee’s and your mentee’s caregiver’s permission to spend time with your partner/spouse/children.

Mentors are trusted friends and guides to their mentees, not babysitters. It is typically best for everyone to maintain good boundaries and work within their roles.

The focus of the program is spending time in the community. Some mentors may be open to helping with school work, but it's not guaranteed or an expectation of our mentors.

Our program focuses on youth and mentors doing things together in the community. We support folks who walk, take the bus, get rides, drive their vehicle, and other ways to get around town. We don’t want a lack of access to a car to get in the way of you being able to mentor. However, we often rely on mentors to transport their mentees to activities and events, so part of the matching process will cover a good system to ensure you and your mentee’s ability to participate in the community.

We do require background checks to mentor with Mentor North, but we consider more than your background check results when determining acceptance to the program. We understand that folks with a record can still make great mentors, but we need to be aware of what is on your record and will ask you to disclose this during the application process. We determine eligibility on a case-by-case basis, prioritizing the safety of our participants with every decision.

You don't have to be athletic or fit to be a mentor. We welcome mentors of all ages, abilities, and fitness levels. You can enjoy many fun activities with your mentee that don't require physical activity, such as reading, cooking, crafting, or exploring museums. With youth who do love to be active, you can talk about their interests, attend a game, watch sports together, play video games, or enroll in a fantasy league. No matter your fitness level, your presence, and support can make a significant difference in a young person's life. Your unique qualities and interests are what truly matter.

When Mentor North looks at the resources needed to support youth and community growth, the top needs are funding, volunteers, and community partnerships. Community partnerships help us to create opportunities and remove barriers to authentic community participation. Our donors are critical in covering our top cost - the incredible staff time it takes to build trust, empower families, connect youth, and support mentors. Our Resilience Builders monthly giving program is critical in building resilience in our youth and community through resilient and sustainable funding. Your $10 or $20 monthly donation will mean more youth are supported through mentoring. Become a Resilience Builder today! One-time and short-term volunteer opportunities with Mentor North exist in various formats. Let us know your interests, skill sets, and availability, and we can find a way to connect you with making a difference in our community. Matching with a youth takes about three months. We encourage folks to submit their applications now, and then we can flex with you to move as fast or slow as you like through the onboarding process.

Mentoring has nearly an 80-year history across the Twin Ports. Many alumni mentors and mentees remember fondly being a part of Mentor Duluth or Mentor Superior when it was part of the YMCA. In 2019, Mentor North formed its nonprofit as an umbrella to both the Superior and Duluth programs to preserve the 1-to-1 mentoring model that research and our experience have shown to have the most success.