Mentoring During Challenging Times...
Hi amazing mentor team! I hope this message finds you all healthy and well. Thank you so much for continuing to provide support and consistency for our kids through this trying time. Your presence is more valuable than you realize. And we hope that you are all taking care of yourselves…remember to practice your own self-care while you are caring for others. The Help Center is an amazing resource for us all!
I wanted to share a nice resource from the National Mentoring Resource Center with some guidance around the mentor role, now and into the future, as an essential part of the BYEP Team.
As always, if you have questions, concerns, or just need to chat, your BYEP staff is here. Take good care everyone! See you at our virtual BYEP Dance Party on Sunday! Thanks for all you do.
Mentoring Resources & Tips
Be mindful. As the COVID-19 pandemic spreads, it may trigger trauma for young people impacted by the virus or by the news surrounding the pandemic. Let your mentee know that you see them and are there for them.
Be intentional about preserving continuity in the relationship.
Acknowledge what is going on and engage in a dialogue about the pandemic.
Understand and honor your emotions and the emotions of your mentee, including the range of reactions that may be expressed.
Commit to self-care. Know that it is okay to take a break from the news and discussions about the virus as needed to manage anxiety or other responses to the situation.
Be in it together. Let your mentee know that you are in this together and are here to help.
Follow the latest on COVID-19 on the CDC’s website.
Follow the guidelines of your mentoring program, institution, or the guardians of your mentee around how to connect and communicate virtually with your mentee if in-person connections are suspended. Decide on clear boundaries and agreements about how you will connect with your mentee when meeting in-person and continue to follow the latest health guidelines and recommendations about where and how to gather.
Be communicative. Healthy and supportive relationships are crucial during this time.
If your mentoring program remains open and you feel comfortable, continue to show up for them in person – young people need our support now more than ever!
If in-person meetings must pause, follow the appropriate path:
If you are permitted/able to communicate virtually with your mentee:
Let your mentee know you need to temporarily pause seeing them in person but are still there for them virtually. Create a plan with your mentee about how you will stay in touch while continuing to follow the appropriate guidelines.
BYEP social media boundaries between mentors and mentees still exist…thank you for joining us via Zoom!
If you are not permitted/able to communicate virtually:
Work with the program to figure out a way to pass along information to let your mentee know that you care, value the relationship, and will need to temporarily pause in-person meetings. Health and safety are the primary focuses at this time.