Some quotes about mentoring (from www.mentoring.org):

“I want to help influence a child’s life. To get insight on kids’ thoughts. To listen and be there for someone who needs it,” says Ericka.

“I love being with kids and helping them learn and grow to their best abilities,” said Melissa.

“Cedrica has brought joy and excitement to my life that I've never experienced before,” said Kelly, Cedrica’s Big Sister. "We always do things I would have never thought I could do," says Cedrica. "Kelly helps me to do better in school and sometimes we talk about me going to college."

Research has shown that mentoring helps by:

• Improving young people’s attitudes towards their parents, peers and teachers;
• Encouraging students to stay motivated and focused on their education;
• Providing a positive way for young people to spend free time;
• Helping young people face daily challenges; and
• Offering young people opportunities to consider new career paths and get much-needed economic skills and knowledge.

By using your influence and resources as a positive role model, you can bring new confidence to young lives through the mentoring relationship. And you'll be surprised how much you will benefit, too!

OK, so what can I expect if I want to be a mentor?
MentorLink gets to know you and then matches you - the caring adult - with a quality, established mentoring program in the West Fargo-Moorhead-Fargo area. Getting to know you helps us know which program would fit you best. Then, you make the next contacts (they will know you are coming, too) to see what really fits. We want to make sure that your new friendship is a good, lasting one.

MYP works with schools and local programs with on-site mentoring (where you go to the school or center to be with your friend and share activities there) and community-based mentoring (where you and your friend go out for sodas, watch movies, take in local events, or whatever you choose to do while building a relationship).

Mentees are school-age young people with varying interests. To be a mentor, you will be interviewed, screened (pass background checks), oriented and matched.

Of course, the fun part is meeting your new friend! Your “mentee” is also screened for the program so he or she knows what to expect, too. You will meet the parents or guardians, and you will get ideas activities to do with your new friend as you build that relationship. Generally, males are matched with males, and females are matched with females.

Do I get some training?
Yes, you are not in this alone! MYP offers a 1-2 hour “Introduction to Mentoring” mentor training session. We do this one-on-one and for larger groups. Many of our new mentors have commented that the training was very important as they prepare for being a great mentor. Contact us to get signed up for a training session.

MYP also does large group trainings on mentoring. This training is tailored to fit your organization’s needs. Contact us if you'd like to bring a training to your organization.

Will I be supported along the way?
Quality mentors are built, not born, and their batteries need re-charging along the way. We stay connected so that our mentors have access to good information, have friends to turn to and celebrate successes with. Through personal communication, newsletters, events, we help mentors remain linked in.

Our complete, customize-able training is provided free of charge and on-demand for university curriculums, service and volunteer organizations, church confirmation classes, and caring adult role models in the community.

I’m ready to take action! Tell me how I can get involved.

Complete our application and fax it to 218-299-5336. You can also mail it to our office or drop it off during regular business hours:

Metro Youth Partnership
810 4th Avenue South, Suite 147
Moorhead, MN 56560

MYP will interview you and provide an “Intro to Mentoring” training. You will then be matched to quality local mentoring programs that fit your goals.

Then, you will be interviewed, screened (pass background checks), oriented, matched, and supported along the way.

Or just email us and we’ll help you get started.