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F.A.Q.
 What is a mentor?
The definition of a mentor is a “wise and trusted advisor,” someone who nurtures and guides a younger protégée, or “mentee,” in the pursuit of their goals.
We have all had mentors who inspired us to achieve great things while helping us avoid negative influences and potential barriers in our lives. Behind every successful adult you will find at least one mentor who encouraged them to make responsible decisions and showed them the way.
Does mentoring work?
Simply put, yes, mentoring does work!
Prominent studies of mentoring programs found that mentored youth:
- were 46% less likely than their peers to start using illegal drugs
- were 27% less likely to initiate alcohol use
- were 33% less likely to engage in violence
- skipped school 53% less
Source: Harvard Mentoring Project
Why become a mentor?
There has never been a better time to be part of the solution!
Improved self-esteem and the satisfaction that comes with knowing you are making a difference in a child’s life can be an affirmation of personal values. Volunteers have a better insight into the challenges for our youth and an opportunity to participate in an effort to create a healthier and better-educated community.
How does SMILES facilitate mentoring?
SMILES recruits adult volunteers from the community to serve as one-to-one mentors with youth in the New Bedford and Fall River areas. The matches meet at the same time, once per week for a minimum of one hour at a number of school sites. Matches engage in activities that are designed to help develop a relationship in a group setting.
By empowering youth to make good decisions and set positive goals, SMILES mentors may have an impact on the student’s views on:
- Academic achievement and attitudes towards school and education
- Alcohol and substance abuse
- Gang involvement and delinquency
- Family and peer relations
- Youth self-esteem and confidence
Who can serve as a SMILES Mentor?
SMILES welcomes caring adults from our community to volunteer as a mentor provided he or she has an open mind, a compassionate heart, and the desire to give back to the community. Prior to entering a SMILES program SMILES Mentors must be able to complete our screening process, which includes a CORI (criminal background records check), a personal interview, 3 reference checks, a training session and pre-match orientation. Mentors must agree to the time requirements of the program (one hour a week for a minimum of one program year) and have access to transportation to mentoring activities.
Who are the youth in the program?
SMILES mentees are referred by school administrators and counselors. Mentees come from diverse backgrounds and have diverse needs. They simply need someone to listen to them and help show them the way regardless of their specific goals and dreams, and most of all to be consistent in their lives.
How do I know that SMILES is a safe, quality program?
SMILES follows the established program guidelines found in the National Mentoring Partnership’s Elements of Effective Practice.
These guidelines ensure that:
- All volunteers are properly screened and trained prior to working with their mentee.
- Youth are matched with an appropriate mentor that can help them achieve their goals.
- Meaningful youth development activities form the core of the mentoring relationships.
- The program supervises the mentor-mentee relationships.
- Appropriate policies and procedures are in place to govern the mentoring relationships and program operations.
- Ongoing support and fellowship is offered to all participants.
How can I learn more?
Visit the SMILES website at www.smilesmentoring.org, or contact the office at 508-999-9300.
Email for more information to: nalmeida@smilesmentoring.org
When Can I start?
SMILES is recruiting RIGHT NOW for current programs as well as some programs that have not yet started.
Call or email SMILES today to start the qualification process and become part of the solution.
info@smilesmentoring.org
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