What is Mentoring?

• Mentoring is a particular kind of relationship in which a person with identified abilities or competencies assists another human being to expand his/her abilities and talents.



• Mentoring is a close personal relationship; a process of working together to achieve agreed-upon goals.



• Mentoring is mutual relationship, with both mentors and mentees deriving satisfaction from their alliance.

• Mentors are able to understand and empathize with their mentee.



• Mentors are comfortable with themselves and who they are.



• Mentors are able to see the mentee as a separate person with different needs and goals, and be comfortable with those differences.



• Mentors are able to set reasonable standards of performance and be realistic in their expectations.



• Mentors have a good sense of humor and an optimistic attitude.

What Mentor Opportunities are there?

The Vermont Women's Mentoring Program: This mentor program matches women volunteers with women being released from prison for nonviolent offenses and is a partnership among Mercy Connections, Inc., Vermont Works for Women, and the Vermont Department of Corrections.

• Begins before the woman is released from prison.



• Continues with daily phone calls and weekly meetings during the first month of release.



• Continue with calls and meetings for the next 10-12 months, but on a less regular basis.



• Involves a monthly support meeting with other mentors, coupled with a quarterly social gathering of mentors and mentees.

Kindling Connections Mentoring Program: This mentor program matches women volunteers with women who have been unemployed or underemployed. These women are involved with Reach Up services in order to prepare them to re-enter the work force.

The mentoring relationship:

• Begins when the woman is beginning the Mercy Connections 10 week Certificate Program aimed at initiating life changes that could prepare participants for success in a workplace.

• Continues with weekly meetings and/or calls during the 10 week program.

• Continue with calls and meetings for the next 3 - 5 months, but on a less regular basis.

• Involves occasional support meetings with other mentors, coupled with an annual social gathering of mentors and mentees.