MENTOR’s COVID-19 Response
Challenge
Expand access to quality virtual mentoring during the COVID-19 pandemic for young people.
Actions
At the start of the pandemic, youth mentoring organizations without access to secure, reliable, and affordable tech resources suspended their programming. MENTOR conducted a survey of the mentoring field and learned one-in-five mentors hadn’t spoken to their mentee since the pandemic began and 90% of mentoring programs are interested in a free and established e-mentoring platform.
In response, MENTOR partnered with iCouldBe and CricketTogether, two long-time partners and leaders in the virtual mentoring space, to launch the Virtual Mentoring Portals (VMPs). These free and secure platforms allow programs to provide a digital environment for formal and informal mentor and mentee pairs. Within one week, we saw interest from a collective of mentoring programs that serve over 40,000 youth.
We also leveraged the diverse expertise of staff, local Affiliates, and partners within the mentoring field to develop resources to help mentors maintain meaningful connections with their mentees. This work included expanding the Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring with an e-mentoring guide and authoring best practices for text-based communications and trauma-informed mentoring.
Outcomes
As a result, mentors and mentees can connect regularly within the VMPs. Meanwhile, program leaders can use these platforms to gain better visibility into the quality of the mentoring relationships. The Friends Program in New Hampshire utilizes the CricketTogether letter exchange platform and Youth Mentor Coordinator, Alyssa Anderson explains, “…in person, with lots of other kids around, often mentees have been too shy or overwhelmed to express any deeper feelings that they might have. Through this letter exchange, they have the opportunity to share those feelings. It’s deepened our mentoring relationships as a result.”
Contact
Tara Spann, Chief People and Strategy Officer
Quote
At MENTOR, driving equity is central to our mission, and that commitment is especially pronounced as we face the layered crises of this moment,” said David Shapiro, CEO of MENTOR. “We continue to approach our work with and for young people by intentionally listening to them, centering them, and always thinking about their lived experiences. This pledge is a testament to a continued and fierce commitment to that work – because it is core to who we are and what we do.