Interested in making a positive impact in a young person’s life? Read more about this volunteer position:
Buddy Mentors Volunteer Description
Bright Future Foundation’s Buddy Mentors strives to inspire and foster youth through building consistent and trusting relationships with safe adults. Volunteer Buddy Mentors partner with Bright Future Foundation to commit to building a consistent, positive, and supportive relationship with participating youth. Buddy Mentors ultimately strives for participating youth to show an increase in decision-making skills, positive peer relationships, self-esteem, school connectedness, and adult bonding.
Position Description
As a trusted adult and mentor, which we refer to as a Senior Buddy, you will play a crucial role in providing guidance, support, and mentorship to a youth referred to as a Junior Buddy. Mentorship in this context refers to guiding a Junior Buddy to greater success by serving as a role model who offers encouragement and a space to be themselves. Your commitment will help foster positive relationships and personal growth in the youth you work with. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young individuals in your community.
Responsibilities/Commitment
Complete initial orientation and training with Bright Future Foundation staff.
- Provide information to complete a thorough background check
- Develop a consistent, dependable, and trusting mentor-mentee relationship with a Junior Buddy, which is defined by Bright Future Foundation as incorporating continuous communication, clear plans and follow through, and signs of a healthy relationship.
- Commit a minimum of 12 months dedicating quality time to the Junior Buddy.
- Mentor Junior Buddy at least 8-10 hours a month, spread out over each month and based on the interests and goals of Junior Buddy.
- Participate in all required mentor trainings, including one in-person training a year.
- Engage in quarterly group mentor-mentee activities offered by Bright Future Foundation.
- Complete feedback surveys as necessary.
Supervision/Support Schedule:
- Engage in a bi-weekly phone meetings with the Program Coordinator during the first month of the match.
- Continue with bimonthly phone meetings/email check-ins with the Program Coordinator for the remaining months of the match.
- Provide bimonthly reporting to the Program Coordinator.
Qualifications:
- A sincere desire to be personally involved with a young person to help them achieve personal and academic goals.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to connect with youth openly and nonjudgmentally. This includes being able to respond to messages within 36 hours.
- Excellent active listening skills.
- Ability to establish a relationship based on shared responsibility and respect.
- Interest in the needs and concerns of young individuals, especially those facing challenges.
- Practical problem-solving skills and the ability to suggest options and alternatives.
- Sensitivity to individuals from diverse educational, economic, cultural, or racial backgrounds.
- The ability to commit a minimum of a full year to the program.
- Willingness to communicate with family to meet the needs of the participating youth and schedule mentoring meetings.
- A willingness to understand child development and learn the individual needs of the Junior Buddy.
- Promote positive youth development.
- Communicate any and all changes regarding the Buddy Mentors relationship and/or concerns to the Program Coordinator
- Provide one month notice if you need to terminate the relationship
To apply, simply fill out the form below.
Read more about Bright Future’s Buddy Mentors program
