Creative Mentoring Manuals

Note!  We are currently updating our training manuals, to be completed by September 1st.        If you would like to purchase a revised manual when they become available, let us know by contacting Rachel Markowitz at rmarkowitz@connecting-generations.org.

Elements of Effective Mentoring — A Mentor Training Manual

To build first-class mentors, you need to provide first-class mentor training. Elements of Effective Mentoring is perfect for program coordinators who want to prepare capable, committed volunteers and for mentors who want to boost their skills.

How do you build a relationship with a child? What roles are appropriate and inappropriate for mentors? What's the difference between mentoring and "playing"? Elements of Effective Mentoring answers these and many other questions by leading mentors through the Creative Mentoring Process, an approach to mentoring that helps mentors to function at their most effective level each and every session.

Filled with tips and tools to help mentors improve their communication and listening skills, provide academic/tutoring support, and build children's self-esteem, Elements of Effective Mentoring also offers dozens of activity ideas rated by appropriate grade level plus a special section of activities mentors can share with their K-4 student.

Mentoring in the Middle — A Training and Resource Guide for Mentoring Middle School Students

To build first-class mentors, you need to provide first-class mentor training. Mentoring in the Middle focuses on the unique challenges of mentoring the Middler child, defined as youth between the ages of 10 and 15. Understanding the changes these children are undergoing as they move from childhood to adolescence is critical for communicating with the Middler and forging an effective mentoring bond.

In addition to mentoring strategies, topics include developmental stages, adolescence today versus adolescence as you remember it, social issues, risk factors and risky behaviors, and life skills that Middlers need. Like our elementary training manual, Mentoring in the Middle stresses the Creative Mentoring Process: building higher purpose into all mentoring activities, mentoring in the present moment, teaching universal values, and showing unconditional love/acceptance.

Creating an Effective Youth Mentoring Program—A Technical Assistance Manual

You know you want to create a mentoring program, but where to start? Without a complete design and implementation plan, even the best-intended programs tend to fall apart within a year or two. If you want your efforts to result in a successful, self-sustaining mentoring program, there's a lot you need to do BEFORE recruiting mentors!

Creating an Effective Youth Mentoring Program is a comprehensive, easy-to-follow manual that walks you through the design and implementation of your mentoring program from start to finish. From deciding on the goal for your program to finding a way to recognize your volunteers after a successful year, this manual leaves no stone unturned. Thought-provoking questions, straightforward discussions, and convenient checklists help you plan the program you want with the structure you need. National and regional (east coast USA) resources on recruitment, program affiliation, and funding included. Multiple examples of commonly used mentoring forms are included to save you time and effort!

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